THE Democratic Republic of Congo has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda as fighting intensifies between Rwanda-backed M23 insurgents and Congolese government forces in Goma.

The war has left at least 13 United Nations peacekeepers and foreign soldiers dead and displaced thousands of civilians.

M23, composed mainly of ethnic Tutsis, has made significant territorial gains along the border with Rwanda in recent weeks, closing in on Goma, the provincial capital, which has a population of around two million.

Congo, the United States and UN experts accuse Rwanda of backing M23.

The group is one of about 100 militias vying for a foothold in the mineral-rich region, where a long-running conflict has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

Rwanda denies backing the rebels, but it acknowledged last year that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to safeguard its security.

UN experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan military personnel in Congo.

The Congolese Foreign Ministry said on Saturday night that it was severing diplomatic ties with Rwanda and withdrawing all diplomatic staff from the country “with immediate effect.”

Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said today that the decision was a unilateral action by Congo “that was even published on social media before being sent to our embassy.”

In New York, the UN security council held an emergency meeting, originally scheduled for Monday, to discuss the escalating violence.

Meanwhile, heavy gunfire echoed near Goma, forcing thousands of displaced civilians to flee camps near the Rwandan border.

“We are fleeing because we saw soldiers on the border with Rwanda throwing bombs and shooting,” said Safi Shangwe, a displaced civilian heading towards Goma.

“We are tired and we are afraid. Our children are at risk of starving,” she added.