Richard Hamilton

Richard Kugoy reports from Nairobi. Tensions are rising in eastern DRC as M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, expand their hold on key cities. Authorities in Kinshasa say they are closely monitoring the security situation in South Kivu, nearly a thousand miles away.

On Sunday, Rwandan-backed forces entered Bukavu without resistance, marking the farthest territorial gain since the insurgency began three years ago. Residents have been urged to stay indoors, fearing attacks by occupying forces. The conflict has drawn international condemnation.

On Sunday, Rwandan-backed forces entered Bukavu without resistance, marking the farthest territorial gain since the insurgency began three years ago. Residents have been urged to stay indoors, fearing attacks by occupying forces. The conflict has drawn international condemnation.

The Africa Union is warning against the potential breakup of the DRC, calling for the immediate withdrawal of M23 fighters. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging dialogue, saying a regional war must be avoided. Rwanda continues to deny any military involvement.

The Africa Union is warning against the potential breakup of the DRC, calling for the immediate withdrawal of M23 fighters. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging dialogue, saying a regional war must be avoided. Rwanda continues to deny any military involvement.

Eastern DR Congo, which is rich in minerals, has suffered decades of violence since the 1994 Rwandan genocide when around 800,000 people, mostly ethnic Tutsis, were slaughtered by Hutu extremists. The M23 movement is backed by Rwanda and led by Tutsis who say they need to protect their minority group. Last month, the largest city in the region, Goma, fell to the M23.

Eastern DR Congo, which is rich in minerals, has suffered decades of violence since the 1994 Rwandan genocide when around 800,000 people, mostly ethnic Tutsis, were slaughtered by Hutu extremists. The M23 movement is backed by Rwanda and led by Tutsis who say they need to protect their minority group. Last month, the largest city in the region, Goma, fell to the M23.

And on Friday, the second biggest city, Bukavu, suffered the same fate. Chaotic scenes unfolded in Bukavu today. The World Food Programme said nearly 7,000 tonnes of food was being looted there as people took to the streets. This resident, who asked not to be identified, says there's a sense of panic and fear.

And on Friday, the second biggest city, Bukavu, suffered the same fate. Chaotic scenes unfolded in Bukavu today. The World Food Programme said nearly 7,000 tonnes of food was being looted there as people took to the streets. This resident, who asked not to be identified, says there's a sense of panic and fear.

The capture of Bukavu, a city with an estimated population of 2 million, would represent an unprecedented expansion of territory under the M23's control since the latest insurgency started in 2022. It would also deal a further blow to Kinshasa's authority over its eastern borderlands.

The capture of Bukavu, a city with an estimated population of 2 million, would represent an unprecedented expansion of territory under the M23's control since the latest insurgency started in 2022. It would also deal a further blow to Kinshasa's authority over its eastern borderlands.

Fears are growing that the situation could develop into a wider regional conflict, with Uganda also threatening to intervene. Meanwhile, the crisis is being urgently discussed at an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, opened the meeting with this stark warning.

Fears are growing that the situation could develop into a wider regional conflict, with Uganda also threatening to intervene. Meanwhile, the crisis is being urgently discussed at an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, opened the meeting with this stark warning.

Few would disagree with Mr Guterres' plea for peace, but with rebels advancing rapidly and tension mounting daily between Rwanda and the DR Congo, it's not clear if any of these parties are listening.

Few would disagree with Mr Guterres' plea for peace, but with rebels advancing rapidly and tension mounting daily between Rwanda and the DR Congo, it's not clear if any of these parties are listening.

You've got Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams, the first astronauts to fly in the Starliner spacecraft on an eight-day mission. NASA probably made a mistake in trailing this as an eight-day mission because they would have been there for at least eight months by the time they come back to Earth.

You've got Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams, the first astronauts to fly in the Starliner spacecraft on an eight-day mission. NASA probably made a mistake in trailing this as an eight-day mission because they would have been there for at least eight months by the time they come back to Earth.

What happened with Starliner, it launched fine, but as they were approaching the space station, there were all sorts of problems with the thrusters. And they were able to dock successfully. What NASA feared was that the thruster problem would endanger their lives, essentially. So these are little rockets on the spacecraft that help it position. Look at the International Space Station.

What happened with Starliner, it launched fine, but as they were approaching the space station, there were all sorts of problems with the thrusters. And they were able to dock successfully. What NASA feared was that the thruster problem would endanger their lives, essentially. So these are little rockets on the spacecraft that help it position. Look at the International Space Station.

It's the size of a football stadium with lots of bits jutting out, lots of, you know. Other spacecraft docked to it, these enormous solar arrays. Coming in close, you've got to manoeuvre really carefully. You know, it's like parking a car, but in three dimensions with no gravity.