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US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Kinshasa, the second stage of his diplomatic tour in Africa, reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA.

During this visit, the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo and civil society there expect Washington's number one diplomat to condemn Rwanda's support for rebels in its eastern neighbor.

Blinken arrived at Njili Airport and was met by Foreign Minister Christophe Luthundula, the DR Congo presidency said.

A one-on-one meeting with President Felix Tshisekedi is scheduled for later today at the presidential palace, the brief statement added.

The president plans to discuss with the head of US diplomacy the tension between the DR Congo and neighboring Rwanda, which is accused of supporting the rebels of the March 23 Movement.

Kigali to support these claims.

In a statement, 19 Congolese and US organizations called on Blinken to strongly condemn Rwanda's actions and say the US would impose sanctions on high-ranking government officials and others supporting armed groups in eastern DR Congo.

The US sanctions 100 representatives of the Belarusian authorities, Blinken announced

The non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch said that during his visits to Rwanda tomorrow and DR Congo today, the US Secretary of State should "speak the truth clearly, however unpleasant it may be" and "condemn publicly, with in the strongest terms, the M23 attacks" and "to warn Rwanda of the consequences of its support for this rebel movement".

The human rights organization stressed that, as in 2012, M23 is committing war crimes against civilians in eastern DR Congo, adding that it has witnesses who have described the executions of at least 29 people.

M23 is made up mostly of Tutsis and was defeated in 2013, but resumed hostilities late last year, accusing Kinshasa of not honoring ceasefire agreements.

Congo

Anthony Blinken