The United States announced sanctions against a Rwandan official and a Rwandan-backed rebel in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo over a rapidly expanding war in the area. On Thursday, the departments of State and Treasury announced sanctions against Rwandan Minister of State for Regional Integration James Kabarebe and Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston,

On February 16th soldiers from M 23 marched single-file through the streets of Bukavu, eastern Congo’s second-largest city. The beleaguered remains of the Congolese army had retreated without a fight. Rebel fighters toting grenade-launchers and machine-guns took triumphant selfies in the city’s main square.

Analysts say the deadly march by Rwanda-backed rebels across eastern Congo could widen into a regional conflict drawing in even more countries, and two neighboring nations with the most involvement in the mineral-rich area might be the key to stopping the violence.