"End threat" DRC Mothers tell Uganda

Efforts are underway in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, to halt the launch of a military offensive against six-hundred dissident rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The government is reported to have given an ultimatum to the rebels -- who belong to a breakaway RCD-ML faction -- to give themselves up or be subjected to an offensive on Saturday.

But President Museveni's military representative, Kahinda Otafiire, said mediation efforts had solved the stand-off and refused to comment on whether any military action would take place.

Mothers of the rebels have expressed concern that the offensive will still go-ahead, saying their sons are still there.

They're urging President Museveni to call off the ultimatum.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service