The Rwanda-backed rebels who captured eastern Congo 's key city of Goma sought to reassure its residents Thursday, holding a stadium rally and promising safety under their administration as they try to shore up public support amid growing international pressure.

Nearly 3000 people have been killed in the city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the United Nations, after it was captured by rebels following days of fierce fighting with the Congolese army.

Fighting last week between Congolese government forces and Rwanda-backed rebels in the major eastern city of Goma left at least 900 people dead, the U.N. health agency said Monday, raising the previously cited death toll of 773.

Rwanda-backed rebels who have captured eastern Congo’s largest city say they plan to take their rebellion to the capital and seek to gain political power

Rwanda-backed rebels have gained ground in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo despite the unilateral ceasefire they declared earlier

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have seized control of a mining town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province, eight sources said on Wednesday,

Rwanda-backed rebels declared a ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo, bowing to international pressure to halt fighting that has killed hundreds, wounded thousands and risks a wider regional war.