As they moved towards Goma, the M23 captured the towns of Masisi and Minova.

More than 200 civilians have been killed in areas captured by the M23, local leaders said on Thursday.

And according to the United Nations, two children died after bombs fell on a camp for displaced people.

As a result of this unrest, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi cut short his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, flying back on Thursday to hold urgent security meetings with top officials.

The fall of Goma – a city of over a million that lies close to the border with Rwanda – would be a major coup for the rebels. They briefly took over the city during a rebellion in 2012, but withdrew after a deal was brokered.

Numerous roads leading towards the city have now been blocked, sparking concerns that food supplies in the city might run out.

“The town of Goma is held in a vice, the town is suffocated, there are no more entrances, there are no more exits… this population is suffering enormously” local union leader Bahala Shamavu Innocent told the BBC.

Espoir Ngalukiye, a member of the opposition party Ensemble pour la Republique, is also worried about access to food.

“In Goma we are not safe for real,” Mr Ngalukiye said. “No-one who lives in Goma can tell you that he doesn’t have fear.”

Over the last few days, the United States, United Kingdom and France have all advised their nationals to leave Goma as soon as possible.

Gen Cirimwami had been North Kivu’s governor since 2023. Prior to this, he reportedly spent a long stretch serving as a soldier in eastern DR Congo.

Gen Cirimwami later became a commander, and according to the United Nations, went against President Tshisekedi’s wishes and collaborated with armed group FDLR in the fight against the M23.

Some FDLR leaders have been linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the group has also been accused of human rights violations in DR Congo.

Rwanda has repeatedly accused Congolese authorities of working with the FDLR, and has twice invaded its much larger neighbour, saying it was going after those who committed the genocide.

On Thursday the M23 rebels captured the nearby town of Sake, according to the United Nations, the United Kingdom and various other sources.

But the Congolese army said it had repelled the attack on Sake, which lies just 20 km (12 miles) from Goma.

Residents of Sake and the wider area – many of whom were already displaced by the conflict – have fled their homes.

People are escaping carrying mattresses and other such essentials on their backs, while dozens pile into overcrowded wooden boats.