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

As Rwandan-backed M23 fighters continue to make significant advances in eastern DRC, having captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu, the conflict is now triggering warnings from the UN Security

M23 rebels captured Bukavu, the capital of the eastern DRC’s South Kivu province, on 16 February with little resistance from government forces. Bukavu is a commercial hub of about 1.3 million people, the fall of which is another significant blow to Kinshasa’s authority at home and in the region.

The U.S. Treasury Department said Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration James Kabarebe, a retired general,was targeted for orchestrating Rwandan support for M23

M23 fighters on Friday advanced further on several fronts in DR Congo's volatile east as international pressure mounted on Rwanda to stop backing the armed group and halt the fighting.

M23 fighters advanced on several fronts in DR Congo's volatile east Friday as the UN Security Council for the first time called on Rwanda to stop backing the armed group and halt the bloodshed. The European Union on Friday summoned Rwanda's ambassador to demand Kigali pull out troops from the country and stop backing the armed group.

In a unanimous resolution, the Security Council condemned the M23 advances with the support of the Rwanda Defense Forces. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also called for a ceasefire in the region.