Congolese rebels tonight called a ceasefire around the eastern city of Goma while the army retreated and residents fled.
The rebels said in a statement that they were just outside the city, where reporters heard gunfire and occasional booms from heavy artillery, apparently from retreating Congolese troops.
The rebels said they were declaring a “unilateral ceasefire” around Goma to keep residents from panicking and allow them to reach nearby UN refugee camps.
A UN spokesman welcomed the announcement but said it was not yet clear if the “simple declaration” was being followed by action.
Spokesman Madnodje Mounoubai confirmed that Goma was generally in a state of panic and said the rebels were not in the city. He said peacekeepers were at the airport and at in other strategic points.
Tens of thousands of residents and refugees poured out of the city, and Goma’s governor, Julien Mpaluku, acknowledged that panic was spreading in the eastern provincial capital.
He said he could not confirm that the army had deserted Goma, but stressed that UN peacekeepers were still in charge and that rebels had not yet entered the city.
The US embassy said its officials were leaving Goma and urged all American citizens to follow. Hundreds of foreign aid workers were also trying to evacuate.
Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda has threatened to take Goma despite calls from the UN Security Council for him to respect a ceasefire brokered by the UN in January.
The UN says its biggest peacekeeping mission — a 17,000-strong force — is now stretched to the limit with the surge of fighting and needs more troops quickly from wherever it can get them. Troops from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uruguay and South Africa make up most of the existing force.
PA