Rwanda rejects allegations from Congo, the United Nations, and Western powers that thousands of its troops are fighting alongside the Tutsi-led M23. It says it is defending itself against the threat from a Hutu militia,

M23 rebels are tightening their grip on the eastern DRC after the the Rwanda backed rebels took control of the strategic city of Bukavu. It gives them control of all of eastern Congo's border with Rwanda along Lake Kivu.