Congo’s largest church organizations met Wednesday with Rwanda-backed rebels in the country’s east in the latest push for peace and dialogue after weekslong fighting that saw the rebels seize the region’s largest city of Goma.

The march by Rwanda-backed rebels across eastern Congo risks escalating into a regional conflict, with countries such as Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania already involved. Despite diplomatic efforts, tensions remain high.

Goma remains “under occupation” by Congo’s M23 rebels and the ceasefire they announced has been broken as their forces engage in heavy fighting along the main route to South Kivu’s main city Bukavu.