Army captures main M23 rebel base in DR Congo

Greeted by civilians as their advance continues, Congolese government forces have captured the last major town being held by rebels.

It is the latest success for the UN-backed army of the Democratic Republic of Congo as it seeks to crush a 20-month-old rebellion.

The eastern border town of Bunagana was reportedly abandoned by the M23 rebel group before soldiers arrived. Since peace talks stalled last week, the army has closed in on rebel positions across North Kivu province.

Bunagana had been a strategic base for the rebels, giving them access to Uganda and Rwanda, accused by UN experts of supporting the rebellion – accusations both nations deny.

M23 is the latest incarnation of insurgents led by Tutsis in eastern Congo to take up arms against the government in Kinshasa.