M23 rebels tighten their grip on the main city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo In news pictures

Rwanda -backed rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) tightened their grip on Bocafo, the second main city under M23 in the east of the country since late last month.

M23 rebels seized the city Of the 1.3 million people on Sunday, after it was abandoned by the Congolese forces.

The capital of the South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bukavo is 101 km (63 miles) south of Goma, which the rebels seized in late January.

When the rebels split their way to Bukavo, their streets were immersed by the residents trying to leave and deceive who fill flour bags with what they could find.

Silence is silent at a later time, as residents and business owners prepared to enter the M23 into the city center.

On Monday morning, people gradually began to go out again while the rebels patrolled the city’s large intersections.

The Bokavo border crossing was closed to Rwanda on Monday morning, and most stores and stores were gradually being picked up again.

M23 is the most prominent of more than 100 armed groups competing to control trillions of dollars in minerals in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. These minerals are crucial for most technology in the world.

The rebels are supported by about 4000 soldiers from the neighboring Rwanda, according to United Nations experts.

The M23 batch sparked internationally, with the Secretary -General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres says “Regional escalation should be avoided at any cost.”

On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate ceasefire, withdrawn from the rebels and a safe return of the Congolese authorities to Boukavo.