Bukavu

The group has made major advances at the beginning of the year, taking the key regional cities of Goma and Bukavu.

The decades-long conflict has intensified since the start of the year when M23 staged an unprecedented offensive, seizing Goma and Bukavu - eastern Congo's two largest cities - and sparking fears of a wider regional war.

The decades-long conflict has intensified since January when M23 staged an unprecedented offensive, seizing Goma and Bukavu - eastern Congo's two largest cities - and sparking fears of a wider regional war.

Catholics in rebel-held Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, have gathered at Notre-Dame de la Paix Cathedral to mourn.

This follows major gains by the M23, which since January has captured the key cities of Goma and Bukavu.