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.

Angolan President Joao Lourenco has urged warring parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to return to peace talks, which collapsed last year, the foreign ministry said.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has said he is ready to mediate efforts to end the conflict between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels. John Mulimba,

A conflict that has raged for decades reached a flashpoint this week when rebels backed by Rwanda marched on a key Congolese city in a bid to occupy territory and exploit minerals.

The latest fighting has heightened an already dire humanitarian crisis in the region, forcing half a million people from their homes since the start of the year.

Violent protests erupt in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital, as demonstrators target multiple foreign embassies, including the Dutch mission, amid escalating regional tensions over alleged foreign interference.

The scene is the result of the invasion of Goma on January 27th by M23, an armed group under the control of Rwanda, Congo’s neighbour, which abuts the city. Paul Kagame, Rwanda’s president, has escalated a crisis whose origins go back decades.

President Paul Kagame said Rwanda was ready for "confrontation" as he rejected criticism over his backing for M23 rebels who were pushing south on Thursday in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after capturing the major city of Goma.

Violence in eastern Congo is escalating. Near the city of Goma in North Kivu, 13 peacekeepers were killed by M23 rebels. Congo has broken off relations with Rwanda. The North Kivu region is rich in gold and coltan.

Angolan President João Lourenço received his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi for a joint analysis of the steps to be taken within the framework of the Luanda Process, after the situation created with the seizure of Goma by rebel forces.

M23 rebels have made rapid advances in the latest bout of conflict that has long-dogged the mineral-rich east.