Rwanda said on Friday it had proof of an intended major attack by the Democratic Republic of Congo and denied it was fomenting conflict inside its neighbour's border.

Officials and residents say Rwanda-backed rebels have gained ground in eastern Congo despite the unilateral ceasefire they declared earlier this week, taking control of a town 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the provincial capital of Bukavu.

S&P Global Ratings warned that the escalating conflict between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo could lead to a credit downgrade for the nations as the cost of fighting weakens both their economies.