Thousands of families have been displaced by violence in eastern Congo, where Rwanda-backed rebels last month seized the key city of Goma in a blitz offensive in the mineral-rich region.

The group has made dramatic advances in Congo’s North Kivu province since re-emerging as a force in late 2021. It has repeatedly denied receiving support from Rwanda. And the government in Kigali equivocates about its support for the rebels.

The rebels continued advances in eastern Congo despite their own announcement of a cease-fire. The U.N. secretary-general called for them to lay down their guns and agree to mediation.