M23 insurgency in eastern Congo has intensified in January with the rebels seizing control of more territory than ever before, prompting the United Nations to warn of the risk of a broader regional war.

Many Congolese see the rebel advance as an invasion of their country by a foreign power in an attempt to seize land and Congo’s valuable rare minerals.

Congo has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda amid intensifying M23 insurgency and ongoing battles. Allegations of Rwanda's involvement in the conflict have been denied by Rwanda, but tensions rose with the killing of a Congolese military governor.