South Africa warns of war after 13 peacekeepers are killed by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the DRC. Tensions escalate as rebels seize Goma.

As an East African bloc urged an immediate ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwandan-backed M23 rebels who seized the city of Goma extended their advance on Wednesday, and Congo said it planned a campaign to recover lost territory.

M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, are advancing towards Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This move follows their capture of Goma, raising the specter of renewed regional conflict. Diplomatic efforts,

A conflict that has raged for decades reached a flashpoint this week when rebels backed by Rwanda marched on a key Congolese city in a bid to occupy territory and exploit minerals.

"In Bukavu, foreigners are fleeing," missionaries from the capital of the Congolese province of South Kivu tell Fides. "The various embassies in Kinshasa have ordered their compatriots to leave the city because they fear that the M23 rebels could conquer it after taking control of Goma and the province of North Kivu,

Rwanda, which diplomats say backs M23 fighters who seized Goma in Democratic Republic of Congo this week, called on Wednesday for a ceasefire across eastern Congo and for Congo to negotiate with the rebels while denying Rwandan troops were involved.

"In Bukavu, foreigners are fleeing," missionaries from the capital of the Congolese province of South Kivu tell Fides. "The various embassies in Kinshasa have ordered their compatriots to leave the city because they fear that the M23 rebels could conquer it after taking control of Goma and the province of North Kivu,

GOMA, DR Congo - The Rwandan-backed armed group M23 moved south as it closed in on a key military airport in DR Congo on Friday, a day after pledging to take the capital Kinshasa and as international criticism mounted.

Rwanda has called for the start of direct talks between the DRC authorities and the M23 group as a precondition for the continuation of the peace process between the two countries

With the active engagement of Pakistan's High Commissioner in Rwanda Naeemullah Khan, the Rwandan authorities have allowed the entry of stranded Pakistanis into Rwanda.Following the recent escalation of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo,

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels are moving “rapidly” through South Kivu province toward the city of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations (UN) said. The UN is “deeply concerned” by the rebel advance,