The Democratic Republic of Congo withdrew its diplomats from Kigali as the Rwanda-backed M23 fighters advanced on the key city of Goma in the east of the country. - More than a hundred wounded - The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) said its Quick Reaction Forces had "been actively engaged in intense combat" with its heavy artillery firing against M23 positions.

Fighting has escalated sharply in recent weeks in eastern Congo, where rebels have seized key towns and are closing in on the city of Goma, the government’s last stronghold in the North Kivu province,

The United Nations announced that it has temporarily decided to relocate non-essential staff from Goma, the capital of North

In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, António Guterres noted the Rwandan-backed rebels’ reported seizure of Sake, in South Kivu, “which increases the threat” to the regional capital Goma – all of which is “ heightening the threat of a regional war ”. Rwanda denies any direct involvement with M23 fighters.

The DR Congo army and M23 fighters clashed outside Goma on Friday as the UK, United States and France urged citizens to leave the main city in the country's volatile east, warning the situation could deteriorate rapidly.

The UN is temporarily relocating non-essential staff from Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Saturday without interrupting its operations in the country at a time heightened securit

Nine UN peacekeepers were injured in clashes with the advancing M23 rebel group near Goma, eastern Congo. M23 has encircled Goma, a major hub, intensifying the regional conflict. Accusations of Rwandan backing for M23 persist amid a severe humanitarian crisis impacting over 400,

Civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are at increasing risk as the abusive M23 armed group, supported by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), approaches Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.

Essential UN personnel are remaining on the ground, sustaining critical operations such as food distribution, medical assistance, shelter, and protection for vulnerable communities,” MONUSCO said.

On Sunday, January 26, an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be held, the newspaper Le Monde reports.

The Democratic Republic of Congo withdrew its diplomats from Kigali as the Rwanda-backed M23 fighters advanced on the key city of Goma in the east of the country .