In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo dozens of heavily armed rebel fighters have entered Bunia, the capital of Ituri province.

The presence of the members of the Codeco militia has caused alarm but officials are saying it is not an attack and that they were escorted into the town by the police.

In recent weeks the government has been trying to convince the rebel fighters to surrender.

The United Nations accuses the group of widespread human rights abuses including killings, beheading and rape.

Over the last three years Codeco, which is mainly Lendu, has intensified its attacks.

Nearly 1,000 people have been killed and half a million displaced.