RWANDA and the Democratic Republic of Congo “must walk back from the brink of war,” the United States has said, giving the sharpest warning yet of a looming armed conflict between the African neighbours.

US deputy ambassador Robert Wood delivered the warning on Tuesday night at an emergency meeting of the United Nations security council called by France as violence has worsened in Congo’s mineral-rich east, which borders Rwanda.

He said Rwanda and Congo, along with other “regional actors,” should immediately resume diplomatic talks.