The M23, backed by Rwanda, has overpowered the poorly trained Congolese army, while Uganda, Burundi and South Africa have also deployed troops, further complicating the crisis.

Analysts say the deadly march by Rwanda-backed rebels across eastern Congo could widen into a regional conflict drawing in even more countries, and two neighboring nations with the most involvement in the mineral-rich area might be the key to stopping the violence.

M23 now controls nearly all of North Kivu and the province’s vast mineral wealth—including tin (cassiterite), tantalum (coltan), tungsten (wolframite), and gold, which are critical for global electronics and industrial production.

The U.N. says more than 110,000 displaced people have in recent days left settlement camps in eastern Congo’s cities controlled by Rwanda-backed rebels after the rebels were accused of forced camp clo

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo threatened on Tuesday to advance on the provincial capital of Bukavu, citing a "dangerously deteriorating" situation, amid renewed skirmishes on the front line.

The rebels, who captured the region's largest city of Goma, issued a 72-hour ultimatum for displaced people to return to their villages. View on euronews