The eastern Congolese city of Goma, home to two million people, fell into the hands of M23 rebels early Monday, escalating one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts.

The United Nations described widespread panic as the city’s residents fled for safety, while Congo’s government called the rebel advance a “declaration of war.”

The M23 rebels, who had issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Congolese forces to surrender, claimed control of Goma in a statement just before their deadline expired. Gunfire was reported across the city early Monday morning, according to aid workers who requested anonymity due to security concerns.

In their statement, the rebels urged Goma’s residents to remain calm and instructed Congolese soldiers to gather at the city’s central stadium.

The fall of Goma, a strategic hub in the mineral-rich North Kivu province, marks a significant escalation in the conflict. Over a third of North Kivu’s population is already displaced, and the city’s capture is expected to worsen the humanitarian crisis.

Late Sunday, UN peacekeepers began processing Congolese soldiers surrendering on Goma’s outskirts. The UN mission in Congo reported that M23 fighters, supported by Rwandan forces, had entered the Munigi neighborhood just five miles from Goma’s center.

M23 has declared the airspace over Goma closed, UN special representative Bintou Keita told the Security Council, adding, “In other words, we are trapped.”

Congo’s government severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda over its alleged support for the rebels, a claim Rwanda denies despite evidence from UN experts. Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner accused Rwanda of “a frontal aggression, a declaration of war.”

The UN Security Council condemned the M23 offensive and urged the group to withdraw from captured territories. U.S. and French officials called for an immediate ceasefire, with the United States warning of potential sanctions against those fueling the conflict.

Rwandan Ambassador to the UN, Ernest Rwamucyo, deflected blame, stating the crisis could have been avoided if Congo had shown “a genuine commitment to peace.”

Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll continues to rise. In the past week, at least 13 UN peacekeepers and allied soldiers have been killed. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the violence, urging M23 to halt its offensive immediately.

Civilians Flee as Violence Intensifies

As gunfire echoed across Goma, thousands of civilians fled the city. Many sought refuge at the Rwandan border, where migration officers carefully screened documents.

“We are fleeing because we saw soldiers throwing bombs and shooting,” said Safi Shangwe, a displaced resident heading into Goma. Others, like Adèle Shimiye, expressed uncertainty about where to find safety, fearing violence would follow them into the city.

Despite the chaos, some residents chose to stay. Bahati Jackson, a Goma resident who remembers fleeing during M23’s brief capture of the city in 2012, said his family had decided not to leave this time. “If we’re going to die, it’s better to die here,” Jackson said.

The M23 rebellion traces its roots to the Congolese army, from which the group broke away over a decade ago. Composed mainly of ethnic Tutsis, the rebels have been fighting for control of North Kivu, a region rich in minerals.

While M23’s 2012 takeover of Goma ended after international pressure on Rwanda, analysts say the group’s motives have shifted. “This time, their focus is on territorial control, not integration into the army or political participation,” said Darren Davids, an analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

If fighting erupts within Goma, the densely populated city could face catastrophic casualties, Davids warned.

The Congolese army, supported by UN peacekeepers and regional forces, continues to resist the M23 advance. However, the rebels’ rapid gains underscore the limitations of military and diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.

Joyce Msuya, the UN deputy humanitarian chief, emphasized the dire consequences of further hostilities in Goma, stating, “The impact on civilians could be devastating.”

As Congo’s government and international partners scramble to respond, the people of Goma face an uncertain future. For now, the city remains a symbol of the region’s enduring struggle for peace and stability.