Violence raging in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has killed "more than 7,000 compatriots", many of them civilians, since last month, the Congolese premier said Monday. The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group has seized large swathes of the mineral-rich eastern DRC -- including the main cities of Goma and Bukavu -- in the face of limited resistance from Congolese forces.

Congo says over 7,000 people have died this year as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured unprecedented amounts of territory in its mineral-rich eastern region.

Congo’s president says he is going to launch a unity government, as violence spreads across the country’s east and pressure mounts over his handling of the crisis.

The president of Democratic Republic of Congo has declared his intention to establish a unity government as violence intensifies in the eastern part of the country and criticism grows regarding his response to the situation.

Amid growing unrest in eastern Congo, President Felix Tshisekedi has announced plans to establish a unity government. As Rwandan-backed rebels capture major cities and tensions rise, Tshisekedi emphasizes the importance of unity and reaching out to opposition groups to address the crisis and stabilize the region.