The rebel March 23 Movement, or M23, which has been fighting the Congolese government since April, issued an ultimatum to the government to announce direct negotiations with the group within 24 hours.

Fighting inched perilously close to Goma on Sunday and United Nations forces turned to heavy aerial bombardments to stop a rebel advance, according to witnesses and officials of Congo’s army.

Fighting inched perilously close to Goma on Sunday and United Nations forces turned to heavy aerial bombardments to stop a rebel advance, according to witnesses and officials of Congo’s army.