The United Nations has condemned a mutiny of troops in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and called on neighboring countries to prevent the armed groups in North Kivu province from receiving outside support.

China's Ambassador to the U.N. Security Council, Li Boadong, said Friday that the council members also condemn the killing and abuse of civilians by the group known as M23.

We also strongly condemn the killing and the abuse of civilians mostly women and children by armed groups including the Democratic Force for the Liberation of Rwanda. We further condemn all acts of sexual violence, calling for all perpetrators to be brought to justice.”

Council members further condemned all acts of sexual violence, and called for all perpetrators to be brought to justice. They also urged all the countries in the region to actively cooperate with Congolese authorities in demobilizing the M23 and all other armed groups and preventing them from receiving outside support.

The province of North Kivu has been swept by waves of violence since late March, after hundreds of former rebels defected from the army in support of a renegade general, Bosco Ntaganda.

U.N. secretary-general's special envoy for Congo, Roger Meece, warned the council Wednesday that the mutiny could drag eastern Congo back into war and uproot millions of civilians.

The M23 is an offshoot of the CNDP (National Congress for the Defense of the People) rebel group led by Ntaganda. His close ally, Sultani Makenga, heads the M23 rebels.

Pro-Ntaganda soldiers began deserting the army in April, complaining of low pay and difficult conditions in the military.

Ntaganda is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, including recruiting children as soldiers.

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