In the Democratic Republic of Congo, M23 rebels are continuing their advance in the South Kivu region, local sources say.

Over the weekend, the rebels took control of the strategic town of Luvungi, near the border with Burundi, and several surrounding villages.

Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes as the fighting intensifies.

A spokesperson for the Congolese Armed Forces said government troops had withdrawn from Luvungi to avoid major damage and protect civilians.

The escalation in fighting comes just days after the leaders of the DRC and Rwanda met with US President Trump in Washington and reaffirmed their commitment to an earlier peace plan signed in June.