Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has vowed “a vigorous and coordinated response” against a rebel alliance that has besieged swaths of the nation’s mineral-rich east and forced hundreds of local troops and foreign mercenaries to surrender.

Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has vowed to restore government authority in the east, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized much of the city of Goma and are reportedly advancing south to seize more territory.

Rwanda-backed rebels aiming to gain power have already captured Goma, a key city in eastern DRC. They have vowed to advance to the capital, more than 1,500km away - but have met resistance from the Congolese army and its allies.