UN describes ‘mass panic’ in Goma as Rwanda-backed rebels claim control of key Congo city [Video]

Rwanda-backed rebels claimed they captured eastern Congo’s largest city, Goma, early Monday, as the United Nations described a “mass panic” among its two million people and Congo’s government said the rebel advance was a “declaration of war.”

The M23 rebels announced the city’s capture in a statement minutes before a 48-hour deadline imposed by the group for the Congolese army to surrender their weapons expired. Early Monday morning, gunfire was heard throughout the city, according to two aid workers sheltering there who were not authorized to speak to the media.

In a statement, the rebels urged residents of Goma to remain calm and for members of the Congolese military to assemble at the central stadium.