Economic rivalry and ethnic tensions lay at the center of the long-simmering conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the strategically located city of Goma has recently fallen to r

M23 rebels claim they have taken control of the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN has condemned 'flagrant disregard' for the DRC's sovereignty. DW has more.

This comes after the reportedly Rwandan-backed rebels said over the weekend they had taken control of the city, the biggest city in the region

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s regional and international partners must exert pressure on all parties to the conflict in the east of the country

The UN has cited the crisis in the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (the DRC) as one of the most protracted, complex, and serious humanitarian crises on Earth, with close to 6.5 million people being displaced.

Goma, in North Kivu in eastern Congo, has fallen. The M23 rebels, backed by Rwandan forces, have claimed control of the town. Chaos reigns. The prison is on fire following a major escape. The weekend of January 25-26,

Uganda could also witness an unusual re-formation of an African state on its border. If the DRC were to be deprived of all its eastern provinces, it would lose two of the lakes it currently shares with Uganda (Lake Albert and Lake Edward), and the biggest prize of them all, Lake Kivu, which it shares with Rwanda.

Various UN peacekeeping troops were killed this weekend in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the rebel M23 made territorial gains. One Uruguayan was among the dead and another was reported stable,

A Uruguayan soldier who was part of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) also died in the battle with M23 rebel fighters. Chief of SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya said the M23 fighters are allegedly trained and backed by the Republic of Rwanda, a neighbour of the DRC.

Three Sadc members: Tanzania, South Africa and Malawi, contributed troops to the Sadc Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which is also funded by the United Nations, to disarm rebels in eastern DRC and also defend the country’s territorial integrity.

Angola’s President Joao Lourenco demanded the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory on Wednesday amid fighting with the M23 rebels in Goma. Lourenco, who is the African Union (AU) mediator between Congo and Rwanda, also urged the resumption of peace talks with the M23 and all other groups operating on Congolese territory.