The rebels have been advancing through eastern DR Congo since January, seizing Bukavu and Goma, the biggest city in the region. The fighting has forced about 500,000 people from their homes, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis, according to the UN.

DAKAR (Reuters) - Gunfire broke up a rally held by Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, in east Congo's second-largest city on Thursday, causing attendees to flee, residents said.