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.

After three years on the run from the Rwandan-backed M23 insurgency in eastern Congo, on Sunday, with the rebels fighting their way into Goma's city outskirts, Colleta Nzambonimpa found herself in church with nowhere left to turn.

Rwanda-backed M23 Rebels Capture Goma, DR Congo Calls "Declaration of War" | Firstpost Africa | N18G Africa's two mineral-rich neighbours- the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are locked in a fierce conflict,

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressed Rwanda for an immediate ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo as he voiced alarm over Kigali-backed rebels entering the key city of Goma.

The call came as the US urged the UN Security Council to consider measures to halt an offensive by Rwandan troops

President Paul Kagame says that his country will pursue its policy to block used clothes

The president of crisis-hit Democratic Republic of Congo was set to meet his Rwandan counterpart at an emergency summit on Wednesday, as fighters backed by Kigali appeared on the brink of seizing the key city of Goma.

President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, January 29, said he had a conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the "need to ensure a ceasefire" in eastern DR Congo, where M23 rebels captured Goma city on Sunday,

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels faced pockets of resistance from army and pro-government militia overnight after entering eastern Congo's largest city Goma in the worst escalation of a conflict that has run for more than a decade.

President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, January 29, said he had a conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the “need to ensure a ceasefire” in eastern DR Congo, where M23 rebels captured Goma city on Sunday,

They spoke out about their assaults in spite the stigma that accompanies survivors of sexual violence and the risk of reprisals from the armed men who attacked them. The Journal article documented how international efforts to curb the use of rape as a weapon of war has fizzled out.