The M23 movement, supported by some 4,000 Rwandan soldiers, according to UN experts, now controls large swaths of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a troubled region rich in natural resources.

The U.S. Treasury Department Thursday sanctioned Rwanda Minister of State for Regional Integration James Kabarebe over alleged support for the March 23 Movement.

As Rwandan-backed M23 fighters continue to make significant advances in eastern DRC, having captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu, the conflict is now triggering warnings from the UN Security

M23 rebels captured Bukavu, the capital of the eastern DRC’s South Kivu province, on 16 February with little resistance from government forces. Bukavu is a commercial hub of about 1.3 million people, the fall of which is another significant blow to Kinshasa’s authority at home and in the region.

The U.S. Treasury Department said Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration James Kabarebe, a retired general,was targeted for orchestrating Rwandan support for M23

M23 fighters on Friday advanced further on several fronts in DR Congo's volatile east as international pressure mounted on Rwanda to stop backing the armed group and halt the fighting.

Rwanda-backed rebels advance on eastern DRC city The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continue their advance in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, capturing large areas in recent weeks. Calm is returning to Bukavu after the rebels took control of the city on Sunday,