The United Nations said Wednesday that there is relative calm in the eastern Congolese city of Goma, following several days of intense fighting between the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and the Congolese army for control of the city.
Belgium on Wednesday warned its citizens against traveling to DR Congo, as Brussels Airlines scrapped a flight to Kinshasa after violent protests erupted over the conflict rocking the east of the country.
The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels are looking to occupy the major Congolese city of Goma, after previously doing so in 2012
Dozens of demonstrators on Tuesday attacked and set fires to parts of nine foreign embassies for allegedly backing the rebel group - M23.
In the capital, Kinshasa, protesters complaining of a lack of international action attacked foreign embassies, including those of the U.S., France and Rwanda.
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.
GOMA: An armed group backed by Rwandan troops took control of the airport in the besieged DR Congo city of Goma while protesters complaining of international inaction over the crisis attacked several embassies in the capital Kinshasa, dealing a major blow to Congolese forces and putting the regional capital on the brink of falling on Tuesday.
M23 Rebels Seize Goma Airport, Bodies on Streets Amid Clashes | Firspost Africa | N18G In DR Congo, conflict is intensifying with the M23 rebels backed by neighbouring Rwanda who have tightened their grip on DR Congo's mineral-rich eastern region.
At the heart of the territory grab by Government-backed M23 militia in the Congo is Rwanda's desire to increase exports of valuable minerals to Europe following a deal with the EU.
In 2012, when M23 rebels appeared poised to seize control of a major city in eastern Congo, western countries suspended aid to put pressure on Rwanda to withdraw its support
Diplomatic sources say the bloc is facing calls to suspend its wide-ranging minerals agreement with Rwanda amid fears it is inflaming the escalating conflict in eastern DRC. View on euronews