At the root of this discrimination is the association of Tutsis with neighbouring Rwanda, which has been led by Tutsis since 1994. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, many Congolese Tutsis played a key role in violent Rwandan-backed rebellions against the governments then running DR Congo.

The Rwandan-backed M23 group on Friday advanced south after seizing the biggest city in mineral-rich eastern DR Congo, in violence that according to the United Nations has killed at least 700 people in less than a week.

The U.S. Treasury Department Thursday sanctioned Rwanda Minister of State for Regional Integration James Kabarebe over alleged support for the March 23 Movement.

The Rwandan government has condemned the US decision to sanction a government minister for his alleged role in the conflict in the east of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

US Imposes Sanctions on Key Official The United States has announced sanctions on a high-ranking Rwandan official, accusing him of backing a rebel group that has intensified violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, seizing the regional governor's office. Some people lined the streets to clap and cheer the fighters as they marched and drove into the city centre without resistance.