Protesters have attacked missions in the capital of the African country as anger grows about the advance of the M23 rebel group.

Tonga's Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala has been named minister for defence and foreign affairs, taking on the key government roles in the Pacific Islands nation a week after prime minister 'Aisake Eke was appointed by King Tupou VI.

The United States on Tuesday called on the United Nations Security Council to consider measures to stop an offensive by Rwandan troops and M23 rebel forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as a conflict there escalates.

DRC government spokesman confirms the presence of Rwandan army in Goma and says Kinshasa is working to avoid carnage.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is severing diplomatic ties with Rwanda and the United Nations Security Council has called an emergency meeting as the fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group intensifies.

Congolese M23 rebels entered the centre of the eastern city of Goma, two witnesses said, hours after they claimed to have seized the city despite the United Nations Security Council demanding an end to the offensive.

SA urges decisive UN action on DRC conflict as M23 rebels escalate violence, killing nine SANDF peacekeepers and displacing 400 000 civilians.

Amid escalating violence, Rwandan-backed M23 rebels advance on Goma, Congo, igniting international diplomatic pressure on Rwanda. The conflict has caused massive civilian displacement and grounded flights.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Saturday announced the recall of its embassy staff in Rwanda amid advances by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebellion, which fueled diplomatic tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, accusing it of fuelling the rebellion. At least 13 soldiers serving with peacekeeping forces in the DRC have been killed in clashes with M23 rebels,

Tensions remained high in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Tuesday as the March 23 Movement (M23) rebellion advanced in the country's North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

The United States urged the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday to consider measures to halt an offensive by Rwandan troops and M23 rebel forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as a conflict there escalates.