DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi insisted his troops were mounting a "vigorous" response to Rwanda-backed fighters advancing in the country's perennially troubled east and slammed the international community's "silence and inaction". All the while, President Paul Kagame warns Rwanda is ready for "confrontation" as he rejected criticism over his backing for M23 rebels. For in-depth analysis, FRANCE 24's Oliver Farry welcomes Dr Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam International Country Director for the DRC.

JOHANNESBURG - Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has lashed out at President Cyril Ramaphosa. He accuses him of lies, deliberate attacks and distorting their conversation on the DRC conflict. Thirteen SANDF troops died while battling M23 rebels in eastern DRC.

Their fury is focused on Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who they accuse of backing the rebels - an accusation long made by the UN. To put it bluntly, a group of UN experts maintains the Rwandan army is in "de facto control of M23 operations",

The United States urged the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday to consider measures to halt an offensive by Rwandan troops and M23 rebel forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as a conflict there escalates.