Despite growing international pressure, the Democratic Republic of Congo is standing firm on its decision not to have direct talks with the M23 rebel group that has made major advances in the east of the country in recent months.

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have swept through the region seizing key cities and killing some 3,000 people in the most significant escalation of conflict in over a decade.

As Rwanda-backed rebels strolled through the streets of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's second-largest city, President Felix Tshisekedi's office claimed it was actually still controlled by his army and "valiant" allied forces.

Two explosions that rocked a city in eastern DR Congo after a meeting of the Rwanda-backed M23 group Thursday have killed at least 11 people and wounded around 60, a

Despite mounting international pressure, the DR Congo remains resolute in its refusal to engage in direct talks with the M23 rebel group, which has made significant territorial gains in eastern DRC in recent months.