Despite growing international pressure, the Democratic Republic of Congo is standing firm on its decision not to have direct talks with the M23 rebel group that has made major advances in the east of the country in recent months.

Explosions at a rally held by M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Bukavu killed 11 people and wounded 65 others, Corneille Nangaa, head of the rebel alliance that includes M23,

Congo says over 7,000 people have died this year as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured unprecedented amounts of territory in its mineral-rich eastern region.