Andrew Peach

James Landale reporting. The mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by conflict for more than 30 years, but there's been a new wave of violence since the start of this year. 7,000 people have been killed since January as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized the cities of Bukavu and Goma.

James Landale reporting. The mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by conflict for more than 30 years, but there's been a new wave of violence since the start of this year. 7,000 people have been killed since January as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized the cities of Bukavu and Goma.

During the capture of Goma, more than 4,000 prisoners escaped from the male section of the jail there. A fire that broke out during the jailbreak killed at least 130 women and 25 children in a neighbouring prison. Our senior international correspondent, Orla Guerin, has been to the crime scene to meet female survivors who say they were raped by male prisoners.

During the capture of Goma, more than 4,000 prisoners escaped from the male section of the jail there. A fire that broke out during the jailbreak killed at least 130 women and 25 children in a neighbouring prison. Our senior international correspondent, Orla Guerin, has been to the crime scene to meet female survivors who say they were raped by male prisoners.

And a warning, details of this report are distressing.

And a warning, details of this report are distressing.

The BBC asked the government in Kinshasa about what the survivors had said. We haven't yet had a response. The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, went to the DRC on Tuesday, announcing fresh investigations into atrocities committed by the M23 rebels. Mr Khan stated that any armed group or force must comply with humanitarian law.

The BBC asked the government in Kinshasa about what the survivors had said. We haven't yet had a response. The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, went to the DRC on Tuesday, announcing fresh investigations into atrocities committed by the M23 rebels. Mr Khan stated that any armed group or force must comply with humanitarian law.

African countries have appointed three former leaders from Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia to try to negotiate peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For more on the significance of these developments, our Africa regional editor Richard Kugoye spoke to my colleague Charles Haviland.

African countries have appointed three former leaders from Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia to try to negotiate peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For more on the significance of these developments, our Africa regional editor Richard Kugoye spoke to my colleague Charles Haviland.

Our Africa regional editor, Richard Kigoye. And still to come...

Our Africa regional editor, Richard Kigoye. And still to come...

The family of a French surgeon accused of raping or assaulting hundreds of children over 25 years has been giving evidence at his trial. It's the largest child sexual abuse case in French history. Our correspondent Andrew Harding is in the western town of Vannes where it's taking place.

The family of a French surgeon accused of raping or assaulting hundreds of children over 25 years has been giving evidence at his trial. It's the largest child sexual abuse case in French history. Our correspondent Andrew Harding is in the western town of Vannes where it's taking place.

Joël Lusquanek sat quietly in court as two sons and an expert witness struggled to make sense of the surgeon's double life. His youngest son called him a cold, intelligent man... The expert witness said the 74-year-old was calculating and manipulative. He also quoted Leskwanek's ex-wife, saying she'd praised him as a gentle, ideal father.

Joël Lusquanek sat quietly in court as two sons and an expert witness struggled to make sense of the surgeon's double life. His youngest son called him a cold, intelligent man... The expert witness said the 74-year-old was calculating and manipulative. He also quoted Leskwanek's ex-wife, saying she'd praised him as a gentle, ideal father.

The former hospital doctor has already confessed to multiple heinous acts, and in the coming weeks he will be confronted with evidence from his own diaries, in which he details and boasts of raping children in his care. A few streets away, dozens of his alleged victims and their lawyers have watched proceedings from an overflow room, scattered with emotional support dogs.

The former hospital doctor has already confessed to multiple heinous acts, and in the coming weeks he will be confronted with evidence from his own diaries, in which he details and boasts of raping children in his care. A few streets away, dozens of his alleged victims and their lawyers have watched proceedings from an overflow room, scattered with emotional support dogs.

For now, the focus is on Lusquanek's actions, but France's medical establishment is also in the spotlight, with evidence suggesting that clear warnings about the surgeon's behaviour and his prior convictions were brushed aside.

For now, the focus is on Lusquanek's actions, but France's medical establishment is also in the spotlight, with evidence suggesting that clear warnings about the surgeon's behaviour and his prior convictions were brushed aside.