The SADC allied forces called in by President Laurent Kabila to repulse the invading forces had insisted that unless Rwanda and Uganda make clear their involvement in the war, no negotiations would be entered into with the rebels.

Several regional summits have been held to try and find a solution to the conflict in Africa's third largest country. However, most of them ended in deadlock due Rwanda's refusal to acknowledge their involvement in the conflict.

Recent efforts include the October Lusaka talks chaired by Zambian President Frederick Chiluba, who was tasked at the last SADC Summit in Mauritius to mediate in the negotiations. The meeting was attended by foreign affairs and defence ministers from the allied countries, as well as rebel leader Wamba dia Wamba.

Mutombo Kabindji, spokesperson of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress - one of the rebel groups - said a plan was forwarded to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as part of the "quest for peace" and follows a recent call by opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi for a meeting with Kabila.

However, fighting continues and the government said it has launched an offensive against the rebel-held town of Kalima in the eastern part of the country. Government and allied forces have increased the number of troops to retake the key eastern town of Kindu occupied by the rebels.

The war in the DRC started in August after the rebels, backed by Rwanda and Uganda, turned against the Kinshasa government.