( CNN ) -- Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda wants to merge his forces with the Democratic Republic of Congo 's army as part of a peace agreement , a mediator said Monday . Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda has urged the Congolese government to find ways to protect minority groups . Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo told reporters that talks between Nkunda and Congo 's government are progressing . Nakunda `` has made demands that I do not consider outrageous and demands that the government of Congo can meet , '' said Obasanjo . The rebel leader has also urged the Congo government to find ways to protect minority groups in the country , Obasanjo said . Obasanjo , a U.N. special envoy , said the ongoing talks may quell violence in the country . More negotiations have been scheduled for Friday . The recent fighting has prompted the U.N. Security Council to approve sending more than 3,000 troops in coming weeks to bolster the 17,000-strong peacekeeping force already there . The goal is to stop the violence that has deepened the stark humanitarian crisis in North Kivu province of Congo . The fighting has displaced an estimated 250,000 people many who have fled to refugee camps . Fighting broke out in eastern Congo at the end of August between government forces and Nkunda 's rebels . The fighting is spurred by lingering tensions over the 1994 slaughter of ethnic Tutsis by majority Hutus in neighboring Rwanda . Nkunda says his forces are fighting to defend Congolese Tutsis from Hutu militants who escaped to Congo .
Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda wants to meld his forces with army , mediator reports . Talks progressing between Democratic Republic of Congo and Nkunda . Comment: Goal is to relieve humanitarian crisis resulting from fighting in North Kivu province .