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,

Rwanda-backed rebels claimed they captured eastern Congo’s largest city, Goma, early Monday, as the United Nations described a “mass panic” among its 2 million people and Congo’s government said the rebel advance was a “declaration of war.

United Nations and army officials say fighting with M23 rebels in eastern Congo has left at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers dead.

President William Ruto, in his role as chair of the East African Community (EAC), has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid the worsening conflict.

GOMA, Congo — (AP) — Fighting with M23 rebels in eastern Congo left six United Nations peacekeepers dead, U.N. officials said Saturday.

Kenyan President William Ruto, who chairs the East African Community (EAC), said he would convene a meeting of regional leaders over the escalating security crisis in eastern DR Congo, where rebels threatened to occupy the city of Goma.

In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the rebel alliance, including the M23 group, declared they have seized Goma. The alliance leader issued an ultimatum for Congo's government troops, stating they must surrender by 03:00 local time.

GOMA, Congo (AP) — Panic spread in Goma on Thursday, with M23 rebels steadily inching closer to the city in eastern Congo as they battle the Congolese army. Bombs were heard going off in the distant outskirts and hundreds of wounded civilians were brought in to the main hospital from nearby towns and villages.

Rwanda-backed rebels say they captured Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city and the government’s last stronghold in the region bordering Rwanda. It marks a sharp escalation in one of Africa’s longest

Rwanda-backed rebels claimed they captured eastern Congo’s largest city, Goma, early Monday, as the United Nations described a mass panic among its 2 million people and

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government says the Rwanda-backed rebels’ advance constitutes a “declaration of war."