KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging African leaders to implement a plan that the U.N. hopes will stabilize eastern Congo after years of turmoil.

Ban told a news conference in Uganda Friday that he expects regional leaders to find solutions as eastern Congo once again moves into another phase of hostilities sparked partly by the U.N's deployment of new peacekeepers authorized to attack rebels. Ban said the force will be fully operational "in a matter of weeks."

Some African countries signed the U.N.'s peace and security cooperation framework for Congo in February. But talks between Congo's government and the rebel group M23 have since hit a dead end amid fears of a return to war.

Ban said he was "humbled" by the tragic stories he heard Thursday in Congo.