The United Nations has called for efforts to prevent the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from spreading across the region.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned that “the worst may be yet to come” during an emergency meeting of the Human Rights Council.

The DRC and Rwanda continue to deny responsibility, instead blaming each other for the crisis.

The conflict escalated after March 23 Movement (M23) rebels and Rwandan troops seized Goma last week, leading to thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.

Turk urged all parties with influence to act urgently, warning that the situation could worsen beyond the DRC’s borders.

Nearly 3,000 people have been killed and 2,880 injured since M23 entered Goma on January 26, though actual numbers may be higher.

The DRC has called for an urgent investigation into alleged human rights violations by the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, Al-Jazeera has reported.

DRC’s Minister of Communication, Patrick Muyaya, demanded international pressure on Rwanda to withdraw its forces.

Rwanda’s UN ambassador, James Ngango, denied responsibility and claimed Rwanda itself is at risk of attack.

He alleged that new evidence points to an imminent large-scale attack on Rwanda from the DRC.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi will attend a summit in Tanzania on Saturday as regional leaders seek to defuse the crisis.

Written by B.C. Begley