Rwanda-backed rebels battling Congo’s army have pushed into a strategic, mineral-rich town in the east, ignoring calls for a ceasefire this week by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents as the M23 rebel group expands its footprint in the conflict-torn African country.

After talks in Qatar, the two countries’ presidents said they were committed to an unconditional truce between Congo’s army and a rebel group that Rwanda denies backing.

According to a joint statement published by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, Tshisekedi and Kagame reaffirmed their commitment to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire during the meeting led by Qatari leader Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.