The Democratic Republic of Congo has been mired in conflict for years. As fresh fighting surges in the east, the roots of today’s violence can be traced back to old problems.

Bodies are decomposing on the streets of Goma that have not yet been collected, with hundreds of thousands displaced in the region after fighting between Rwanda-backed rebels and Congolese forces.

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels who in late January captured Goma, the biggest city in eastern Congo, have since been advancing around one of Africa's great lakes, Lake Kivu, towards the second-biggest city in the area,

Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Reports have emerged of the Congolese military (FARDC) shooting at civilians attempting to flee the violence. Eyewitnesses claim that government forces are forcing local residents to take up arms and join the fight against the advancing M23 rebels.