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.

M23 rebels made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, encircling Goma, which is home to around two million people.

Advances being made by the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo are "heightening the threat of a regional war," according to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The military governor of DR Congo's North Kivu province, Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, died from gunshot wounds in a conflict with M23 rebels. The rebels are advancing towards Goma, escalating violence and risking wider regional conflict.

Amid a surging conflict in the east, Christian denominations in the Democratic Republic of Congo have launched a strategy to help churches confront prolonged violence and humanitarian crises in the central African country.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu governor, Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, has died from injuries inflicted during a battle with M23 rebels. The violence in the region, particularly around Goma,

As fighting between M23 rebels and the Congolese armed forces intensifies, Western governments have urged their citizens to leave the main city of Goma.

Thousands of people have fled their homes in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as clashes between M23 rebels and government forces intensify .

KINSHASA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Peter Cirimwami, the military governor of North Kivu, a province under a state of siege in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), died amid violent hostilities and advances by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, authorities confirmed on Friday.

UNHCR is gravely concerned about the safety and security of civilians and internally displaced people (IDPs) in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as conflict further intensifies across South and North Kivu Provinces.

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