19 11 13 Voice of America: Congo-Kinshasa: African Union Monitoring Congo, Rebel Peace Talks

He expressed concern over
the security situation in the north eastern part of the DRC, where the recent
clashes between UN-backed government troops (FARDC) and the M23 left scores
dead and thousands internally displaced.

"It is really a matter
of concern that with the hopes that have been created, the agreement would have
been signed. This is perhaps something that both parties concerned should
consider going back to the table for the sake of the people, for the sake of
women, [and] children who have suffered in that part of Africa,"
said Mwencha.

"The people and the
leaders themselves are concerned that this conflict has gone for far too long,
and the sooner we can reach this agreement, the better.

Last week, envoys from the
AU, the United Nations, Europe and the United States expressed regret that
an agreement was not signed. In a statement, the envoys said the two sides have
not expressed any differences on substantive points within the draft document.

The M23 announced it was
laying down its arms, after the Congolese army seized the last of the group's
strongholds in Congo's North Kivu province.

Mwencha said the AU special
envoy for the Great Lakes region is also monitoring the ongoing peace talks in Uganda's capital, Kampala, to find ways of peacefully ending
the conflict and restoring peace and stability.

"We are very much
concerned, and this concern of course is not just simply that the agreement has
not been reached, but we missed many opportunities, time and again, while
people are suffering and while the economy continues to suffer, and while there
are crimes that need to be pursued," said Mwencha.

Parts of DRC's east have
seen years of conflict between the government's army, FARDC and various rebel
groups, who compete for control over the area's rich mines and natural
resources.

Mwencha said the AU is working
with its international partners to help the government in Kinshasa defeat the various armed groups as
well as maintain security and its territorial integrity.

"We hope that peace
would be secured, and that peace will require commitment of the parties
concerned to enable the region [to] focus on development," said Mwencha.