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The M23 captured Goma in late January, followed by the city of Bukavu, and has since set up governing structures in the regions under its control.

The group has made major advances at the beginning of the year, taking the key regional cities of Goma and Bukavu.

The decades-long conflict has intensified since the start of the year when M23 staged an unprecedented offensive, seizing Goma and Bukavu - eastern Congo's two largest cities - and sparking fears of a wider regional war.

The decades-long conflict has intensified since January when M23 staged an unprecedented offensive, seizing Goma and Bukavu - eastern Congo's two largest cities - and sparking fears of a wider regional war.

Catholics in rebel-held Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, have gathered at Notre-Dame de la Paix Cathedral to mourn.