Congolese troops with support from Burundi's army appeared on Friday to be holding back a push south by Rwandan-backed rebels seeking to expand their grip on eastern Congo in a weeks-old advance that has raised fears of a broader regional conflict.

Lauren Crosby Medlicott speaks to those inside Goma about dead bodies on the streets and overwhelmed hospitals

The group’s announcement came hours after President Felix Tshisekedi called for a massive military mobilisation to resist the rebellion.