East African heads of state have agreed to deploy a joint military force to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to deal with the armed groups operating in that region.
The regional leaders resolved that such a force should be mobilised with immediate effect.
All Congolese armed groups operating in the restive eastern part of the country should unconditionally participate in a political process to resolve their grievances, a statement from the summit says.
DR Congo joined the seven-member East African Community regional bloc last month, in what some analysts see as a move towards seeking joint solutions to its security challenges in the east.