The leader of the rebels who captured two key cities in eastern Congo tells The Associated Press that international sanctions and Congo’s proposed minerals deal with the United States in search of peace will not stop the fighting.

The Rwanda-backed rebels who captured key areas of Congo’s mineral-rich east say they have withdrawn from planned peace talks with the country’s government in Angola.

Congo’s government says Rwanda-backed rebels have occupied a second major city in mineral-rich eastern Congo.

Panic and looting are sweeping through eastern Congo’s second largest city as residents fled by the thousands to escape the looming advance of Rwanda-backed rebels.

Residents and community leaders say that Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo have entered the region’s second-largest city of Bukavu, the latest ground gained since a major escalation of their yearslong fighting with government forces.

The U.N. says more than 110,000 displaced people have in recent days left settlement camps in eastern Congo’s cities controlled by Rwanda-backed rebels after the rebels were accused of forced camp closures.

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.

Panic is spreading in Goma in eastern Congo as M23 rebels encircle the city, battling Congo’s army.

Congolese fighter jets have begun bombing rebel targets in the country’s embattled east as the military steps up its fight against the M23 group.