Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: October 17, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST 

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Key Takeaway: Former DRC President Joseph Kabila launched a new political coalition from Kenya. M23 attacked pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters and suspected Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) militants in counterinsurgency operations in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 near the Kavumu airport on the RN2 in Kabare district in South Kivu. M23 conducted cordon and search operations north of Goma in Nyiragongo district in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas

M23 attacked pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters and suspected Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) militants in counterinsurgency operations in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. M23 reportedly attacked and clashed with Wazalendo and FDLR fighters using light and heavy weaponry in at least eight villages in the Bukombo group and one village in the neighboring Tongo group in Bwito chiefdom in western Rutshuru from October 15 to October 17.[i] The Bukombo and Tongo groups are roughly 10 and 20 miles east of Kitchanga on the RP1030, respectively. Congolese media sources reported on social media that about 50 Wazalendo fighters surrender to M23 in Bwito on October 16.[ii] The recent fighting in Bwito has reportedly displaced hundreds of locals and led to the death of at least 39 civilians since M23 launched the counterinsurgency operations around October 5.[iii]

M23 conducted cordon and search operations north of Goma in Nyiragongo district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that M23 carried out two cordon operations in the Munigi group, about five miles north of Goma center on the RN2, in Nyiragongo on October 14 and 17.[iv] The outlet reported that M23 screened locals as part of the operations and arrested several people for suspected links to Congolese government networks and local crime outfits.[v] M23 last conducted a cordon operation near Goma on September 25.[vi]

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia 

Nothing significant to report. 

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie  

Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 near the Kavumu airport on the RN2 in Kabare district in South Kivu. A journalist for the Congolese media outlet Radio Maendelelo reported on social media that Wazalendos attacked M23 in Tshibati village from its positions in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park on October 16.[vii] Tshibati is about five miles west of the Kavumu airport on the RN2. M23 had clashed with Wazalendo fighters in a village near Tshibati on the edge of Kahuzi-Biega on October 12.[viii]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani 

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in north-central Masisi district in North Kivu. Actualite.cd reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several villages in the Bashali Mokoto group in the Bashali chiefdom in north-central Masisi from October 14 to 16.[ix] The Bashali Mokoto group is roughly 15 miles southeast of Pinga on local roads. At least 1,000 families have fled from the fighting in Bashali Mokoto since October 13.[x] Wazalendo fighters had previously repelled M23 attacks in two villages in Bashali Mokoto on October 13.[xi]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu 

Nothing significant to report. 

Major Political Developments 

Former DRC President Joseph Kabila launched a new political coalition from Kenya. Kabila launched the platform, dubbed the “Save the Democratic Republic of Congo” movement, with close allies and several members of the exiled political opposition in Nairobi, Kenya on October 15.[xii] Several major figures in the opposition—namely Delly Sesanga, Denis Mukwege, Jean-Marc Kabund, Martin Fayulu, and Moïse Katumbi—were reportedly not present in Kenya for the launch, however.[xiii] A Kabila associate told the French magazine Jeune Afrique on October 13 that Kabila is aiming to “reconstitute an opposition front” against DRC President Félix Tshisekedi.[xiv]

Data Cutoff: October 15, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

To receive the Africa File and Congo War Security Review via email, please subscribe here.

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Read CTP’s latest analysis on the war in the eastern DRC in the weekly Africa File here.

Key Takeaway: The DRC and M23 signed a Qatari-brokered agreement to establish a ceasefire verification mechanism. The Congolese army called on the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) to disarm and surrender as part of the US-brokered peace agreement. M23 launched counterinsurgency operations against pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters and suspected FDLR militants in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. The Congolese army conducted several drone strikes on an M23-controlled industrial gold mine in Mwenga district in South Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

M23 launched counterinsurgency operations against pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters and suspected Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) militants in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters and suspected FDLR militants in at least three villages near Bambo village in the Tongo group in the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru from October 10 to October 12.[i] M23 has also reportedly conducted attacks and clashed with Wazalendo-FDLR fighters in at least a dozen villages near the Bukumbo group capital in Bwito since October 13.[ii] The Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi reported on October 13 that the renewed fighting near Bukombo displaced hundreds of people.[iii]

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

The Congolese army (FARDC) conducted several drone strikes on an M23-controlled industrial gold mine in Mwenga district in South Kivu. FARDC drones reportedly struck the Twangiza gold mine in the Luhwinja chiefdom in Mwenga in at least three bombing runs on October 15.[iv] The FARDC targeted the mine’s water storage and power generation facilities in the strikes, which reportedly disrupted operations.[v] M23 officials denounced the bombings as a violation of the Qatari-brokered ceasefire on social media on October 15.[vi] The FARDC bombed Twangiza in a previous strike but did not damage the site significantly last week.[vii] M23 seized the Chinese-owned mining site in early May 2025 and had reportedly restarted production in mid-July.[viii]

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several villages near the RN2 in southern Kalehe district in South Kivu. Congolese media reported that M23 has clashed with Wazalendo fighters in five villages near the RN2 in Kalehe, including Kasheke and Katasomwa—a gold mining village located on the northern tip of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park—since October 12.[ix] M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka claimed that pro-Congolese government forces attacked M23 positions in Katasomwa and Kasheke in violation of the ceasefire in a statement on October 15.[x]

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near the Kavumu airport on the RN2 in Kabare district in South Kivu. M23 reportedly clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Tshivanga village on the edge of Kahuzi-Biega on October 12.[xi] Tshivanga is about five miles west of the Kavumu airport on the RN2.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Wazalendo fighters recaptured a village north of the RP1030 in Walikale district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendo fighters attacked and dislodged M23 from Chanjikiro village in the Kisimba group in Walikale on October 14.[xii] CTP is unable to verify the location of Chanjikiro. The Kisimba group is located near Mpeti village on the RP1030, roughly 12 miles east of Pinga, a military and logistics hub on the RP1030.

M23 repelled a Wazalendo attack on the RP1030 in northern Masisi district in North Kivu. M23 reportedly clashed with Wazalendos who then withdrew from Malemo village on the RP1030 on October 14.[xiii] Malemo is about 16 miles east from Pinga.

Wazalendo fighters repelled M23 attacks in north-central Masisi district. Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendo fighters repelled M23 attacks in Birihi and Ndeko villages in the Bashali Mokoto group in Bashali chiefdom in north-central Masisi on October 13.[xiv] CTP is unable to locate Birihi and Ndeko. The Bashali Mokoto group is roughly 15 miles southeast of Pinga on local roads.

M23 recaptured a village from Wazalendo fighters near Nyabiondo on the RP529 in Walikale district. Congolese media reported that Wazalendo fighters withdrew from Kibati village— about 13 miles west of Nyabiondo on the RP529—on October 13 after clashing with M23 and occupying the village briefly between October 10 and October 12.[xv]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

The DRC and M23 signed a Qatari-brokered agreement to establish a ceasefire verification mechanism. Representatives from the two sides resumed a sixth round of Qatari-mediated discussions and signed the agreement in Doha, the Qatari capital, on October 14.[xvi] Massad Boulos, US President Trump’s Africa advisor, hailed the agreement as a “critical step” toward a final peace deal and implementing the US-backed peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda on social media on October 14.[xvii]

The agreement establishes a new body to serve as a forum for the DRC and M23 to report violations of the late-July ceasefire.[xviii] The body will consist of an equal number of representatives from the Congolese government and M23, along with members from the African Union, Qatar, and the United States.[xix] The mechanism will hold its first meeting within seven days of its formation and convene remotely on a monthly or ad hoc basis to coordinate verification.[xx]

The agreement relies on a ceasefire mechanism previously established by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, known as the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), to monitor and then investigate, verify, and document alleged violations.[xxi] The October 13 agreement adds an equal number of DRC and M23 representatives to the EJVM and UN forces in a logistical capacity to form the “EJVM+.”[xxii] The two sides committed to grant the EJVM+ access to territory under their control and the frontlines to produce a weekly report on the security situation to be shared with all parties.[xxiii]

The FARDC called on the FDLR to disarm and surrender as part of the US-brokered peace agreement. FARDC spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge called on all FDLR factions in the eastern DRC to disarm and surrender peacefully to Congolese government authorities or UN forces for repatriation to Rwanda in a press release on October 10.[xxiv] Ekenge called on local populations to cease contact with the FDLR and help urge its fighters to surrender.[xxv] Ekenge did not include specific conditions or a timetable for the group’s surrender but said that the FARDC would proceed with planned military operations against the group if its fighters resist surrender.[xxvi] Ekenge said that all FARDC military personnel are prohibited from “collaborating in any way” with the FDLR.[xxvii] Massad Boulos welcomed the FARDC’s statement as a “decisive step” in implementing the peace agreement on social media on October 11.[xxviii]

Data Cutoff: October 10, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST 

To receive the Africa File and Congo War Security Review via email, please subscribe here. 

Follow CTP on X, LinkedIn, and BlueSky for daily updates. 

Read CTP’s latest analysis on the war in the eastern DRC in the weekly Africa File here.   

Key Takeaway: The Congolese government and M23 will reportedly discuss a Qatari-proposed draft peace agreement in the next round of talks next week. The Congolese army bombed and disabled a key M23-controlled bridge on the RP1030 in North Kivu. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters repelled M23 attacks in a village on the RP1030 in Walikale district in North Kivu. Wazalendo fighters recaptured a village from M23 near Nyabiondo on the RP529 in Walikale district.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

Nothing significant to report. 

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia 

Nothing significant to report. 

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie  

Nothing significant to report.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani 

The Congolese army (FARDC) bombed and disabled a key M23-controlled bridge on the RP1030 in North Kivu. The FARDC reportedly bombed and disabled the Minjenje bridge on the RP1030 on the border between Masisi and Walikale districts using attack drones on October 8.[i] The bridge is about three miles southeast of Mpeti, which is M23’s forward operating base on the RP1030. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that the FARDC conducted the strike after M23 had nearly repaired the bridge from a previous FARDC attack in late September.[ii] FARDC sources previously told Congolese media that the late September strike on the bridge intended to thwart M23’s advance on Pinga, a key military and logistics hub on the RP1030.[iii]

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters repelled M23 attacks in a village on the RP1030 in Walikale district. Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendo fighters repelled the attacks on Katobi village on the RP1030 on October 8.[iv] Katobi is about two miles west of Mpeti and the last significant village before Pinga nine miles further west on the RP1030. Wazalendo fighters had recaptured Katobi from M23 in mid-September.[v]

Wazalendo fighters captured a village north of the RP1030 in Walikale district. Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendo fighters captured Kabalangiriro village in the Kisimba group from M23 and pushed M23 fighters back to the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru district on October 8.[vi] CTP is unable to verify the location of Kabalangiriro. The Kisimba group is located near Mpeti, roughly 12 miles east of Pinga on a forested route.

Wazalendo fighters recaptured a village from M23 near Nyabiondo on the RP529 in Walikale district. Wazalendo fighters reportedly attacked and dislodged M23 from four of its five positions in Kibati village on the RP529 on October 10.[vii] Kibati is about 13 miles west of Nyabiondo on the RP529. Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendo fighters launched the attacks in Kibati from about six miles west on the RP529 in Miba village.[viii] M23 has controlled Kibati since April 2025.

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in southern Masisi. Actualite.cd reported that M23 attacked Wazalendos and captured parts of Ndete village in the Katoyi sector on October 9.[ix] CTP is unable to verify the precise location of Ndete. The Katoyi sector is in southern Masisi on the border with South Kivu. M23 has clashed with Wazalendo fighters in the Katoyi sector on several occasions in October, including in Remeka—about 13 miles southwest of Rubaya.[x]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu 

M23 attacked FARDC and Wazalendo fighter positions north of Nzibira in southern Kabare district in South Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Tazama RDC reported that M23 attacked FARDC-Wazalendo positions near Luhago village in the Nindja chiefdom in southern Kabare on October 8.[xi] Luhago is in a remote area about eight miles north of Nzibira on a local road. M23 had clashed with pro-Congolese government forces in Luhago on October 7.[xii]

Major Political Developments

The Congolese government and M23 will reportedly discuss a Qatari-proposed draft peace agreement in the next round of talks next week. CTP reported previously that the two sides plan to meet in Qatar for the next round of talks on October 13.[xiii] The French state media outlet Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on October 9 that the two sides will negotiate a draft peace agreement proposed by Qatar.[xiv] The upcoming talks will also reportedly focus on the issue of prisoner exchange, the role of UN forces in M23-controlled areas, and finalizing the structure, implementation, and monitoring of a permanent ceasefire mechanism.[xv] RFI cited an insider source to the talks on October 9 who said that “several international partners”—likely referring to the African Union, the European Union, and the United States—will observe the next round as part of a broader push to reach an agreement.[xvi] The outlet reported that former Malian Foreign Minister Zahabi Ould Sidi Mohamed recently joined Qatar’s mediation team.[xvii]