French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi in Paris for talks focused on the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Willy Ngoma, the military spokesperson for the M23 rebel group, was killed in an army drone strike in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, officials confirmed.

About 200,000 people have fled eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in recent days as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advanced on the strategic city of Uvira, the United Nations reported.

A major disruption hit the M23 motorway near Gatwick Airport, West Sussex, this morning, as police closed the road in both directions.

The United Nations has accused the M23 rebel group of killing 169 civilians, mostly farmers, in a deadly assault earlier this month in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). If confirmed, it would be one of the deadliest attacks since the Rwanda-backed militia resurfaced in the region.

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group are set to sign a declaration of principles aimed at ending months of deadly conflict in eastern Congo, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The signing is expected to take place on Saturday in Doha, Qatar, marking a significant step forward after prolonged negotiations.

An agreement for an instant and unconditional ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been reached, following talks involving DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Thani, according to the Congolese presidential administration.

Peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group brokered by Angola aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Congo will begin on March 18 in Angola’s capital Luanda, the Angolan president’s office has announced.