Congo War Security Review

* CTP will adjust the Congo War Security Review schedule from three times per week to every Friday, beginning on April 17. The publication will return to a triweekly schedule from June 1 through August 21. *

Data Cutoff: April 13, 2026, at 2 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 for the second straight week and recaptured several villages from M23 in north and central Kalehe district in South Kivu. The Congolese army reportedly conducted air attacks and clashed with M23-aligned militia fighters in the South Kivu highlands. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters on the RP1030 and north of Nyabiondo in Masisi district in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas    

Nothing significant to report.  

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia  

Nothing significant to report.  

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 for the second straight week and recaptured several villages from M23 in north and central Kalehe district in South Kivu. Wazalendo fighters reportedly attacked M23 and recaptured several villages in the Ziralo group, including Chambombo and Tushunguti, between April 11 and 13.[1] Chambombo is roughly 13 miles southwest of Numbi, a mineral trading center, on a local road. CTP reported previously that M23 had clashed with Wazalendo fighters and recaptured numerous villages in Ziralo between April 9 and 10.[2] Wazalendo fighters also clashed with M23 and recaptured several villages in the Mubuku group, including two villages in the Murangu locality, in central Kalehe between April 11 and 13.[3] Murangu is roughly 15 miles northeast of Bunyakiri on a local road. The FARDC and allied forces have clashed with M23 in multiple groups in northern and central Kalehe since late March. Nearly 50,000 people have reportedly been displaced as a result of the fighting.[4]

The Congolese army (FARDC) reportedly conducted air attacks and clashed with M23-aligned militia fighters in the South Kivu highlands. M23 and M23-aligned sources claimed that the FARDC conducted air attacks on M23-aligned Twirwaneho positions in Minembwe town between April 10 and 12.[5] M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka denounced the attacks and claimed that the Congolese government violated the ceasefire in a statement on social media on April 12.[6] Twirwaneho fighters reportedly killed a senior FARDC colonel and five other FARDC soldiers during clashes near Muranvya in the Bijombo group—roughly 17 miles west of Uvira town on a local road—on April 11.[7] Pro-Congolese government forces had recaptured at least three villages, including Muranvya, from Twirwaneho fighters in early April.[8] The Congolese media outlet Tazama RDC cited security sources on April 12 who claimed that Rwanda conducted air attacks on Muranvya using a Turkish-made drone deployed from Rwanda.[9] Tazama RDC had first reported this claim in early April.[10]

M23 conducted a cordon and search operation in Minova town in northern Kalehe district in South Kivu. M23 reportedly conducted the operation in Minova on April 12.[11] Minova is about 20 miles southwest of Goma on the RN2.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani 

Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 on the RP1030 in Masisi district in North Kivu. Wazalendo fighters reportedly attacked M23 in Kalembe and Kalonge villages in Masisi between April 12 and 13.[12] The villages are located about 10 miles north of Mweso on the RP1030 near the border between Masisi and Walikale districts.

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters north of Nyabiondo town in Masisi district in North Kivu. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters using light and heavy weaponry and recaptured Ndurumo village—about 2 miles east of Lukweti—on April 13.[13] Lukweti is about 11 miles north of Nyabiondo on a local road. M23 reportedly burned down at least 100 homes suspected of belonging to Wazalendo fighters in Lukweti on April 11.[14] The two sides had clashed previously in two villages near Lukweti on April 5.[15]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu  

Nothing significant to report.  

Major Political Developments  

Former DRC President Joseph Kabila’s political coalition convened for a meeting and criticized the Congolese government last week. Senior members of Kabila’s platform, dubbed the “Save the Democratic Republic of Congo” movement, convened for a meeting at an undisclosed location from April 6 to 8.[16] The group released a final statement that denounced alleged FARDC attacks in North and South Kivu, raised concerns over recent peace agreements signed by the Congolese government, and expressed opposition to any change to the Congolese constitution for the benefit of DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.[17] Kabila had founded the coalition alongside close allies and exiled opposition figures in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2025.[18]

Significant US-Backed Regional Economic Activity

Nothing significant to report.