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.

The rebel group then advanced swiftly, taking control of two key cities - Goma and Bukavu - in the past two months.