M23 rebels seize key eastern DRC town of Minova

Members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo stand guard against the M23 rebel group in Lubero, North Kivu province, DRC [File: Djaffar Al Katanty/Reuters]

M23 rebels have seized the town of Minova in eastern DR Congo, a key supply route for the provincial capital Goma, authorities said.

The provincial governor of South Kivu, Jean-Jacques Purusi, on Tuesday confirmed the capture of Minova, adding that the rebels have also captured the mining towns of Lumbishi, Numbi and Shanje in the same province, as well as the town of Bweremana in neighbouring North Kivu province.