Congo has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda as fighting between Rwanda-backed rebels and government forces rages around the key eastern city of Goma, leaving at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers dead and displacing thousands of civilians.

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.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced the closure of its embassy in Rwanda and the recall of its ambassador within 48 hours, further escalating tensions between the two countries over the ongoing insurgency in North Kivu province.