Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: April 6, 2026, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: The Congolese government has stalled progress on a major hydropower project under the US-brokered regional peace framework. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters reportedly dislodged M23-aligned militia fighters from positions west of Uvira town in South Kivu. The Congolese army claimed that it captured several villages from M23 in northern South Kivu. Wazalendo fighters reportedly clashed with M23 north of Nyabiondo town 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 reportedly dislodged M23-aligned militia fighters from positions west of Uvira town in South Kivu. Wazalendo fighters claimed to have recaptured at least three villages, including Muranvya, in the Bijombo group from M23-aligned Twirwaneho fighters on April 5.[1] Muranvya is roughly 17 miles west of Uvira town on a local road. Twirwaneho claimed that the DRC coalition used heavy artillery and drones to attack its positions in Bijombo in a statement on social media on April 4.[2] The Congolese army (FARDC) claimed that it destroyed a Rwandan army helicopter near Muranvya that was supporting Twirwaneho elements in Minembwe on April 5.[3] The FARDC claimed that over a dozen Twirwaneho fighters surrendered to the FARDC in Mikenge, which is about 15 miles north of Minembwe town on the RP527 in Mwenga district, on April 5.[4] The FARDC had claimed separately that six Twirwaneho fighters surrendered to the FARDC at Point Zéro village near Minembwe on April 2.[5]

The FARDC claimed that it recaptured several villages from M23 in northern South Kivu. The FARDC claimed that it recaptured four villages, including Nyamugari, in clashes with M23 in Kalehe district in northern South Kivu around April 4.[6] Nyamugari is west of the RN2, roughly 10 miles northeast of Katasomwa on the northern tip of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park on a local road. Intense fighting has taken place between M23 and pro-Congolese government forces in Kalehe for the past week. The two sides have clashed in at least three groups in Kalehe, including the Ziralo group in the highlands near the border with North Kivu, since around March 31.[7]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani 

Wazalendo fighters reportedly clashed with M23 north of Nyabiondo town in Masisi district in North Kivu. M23-aligned sources reported that Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 in two villages near Lukweti in north-central Masisi district on April 5.[8] Lukweti is about 11 miles north of Nyabiondo on a local road.

M23 conducted an arrest operation on the RP1030 in Masisi district. M23 arrested at least five civilians in Kalembe on the RP1030, reportedly for “publicly expressing their satisfaction” at M23’s recent withdrawal from certain areas in the adjacent Walikale district or suspected collaboration with the DRC coalition, on April 1.[9]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu  

Nothing significant to report. 

Major Political Developments  

Nothing significant to report. 

Significant US-Backed Regional Economic Activity

The Congolese government has stalled progress on a major hydropower project under the US-brokered regional peace framework. The DRC and Rwanda had signed the US-brokered Regional Economic Integration Framework in early November 2025, which ties US investment to security and incentivizes the DRC and Rwanda to align their national interests and pursue peace and long-term stability.[10] The flagship project is the Ruzizi III hydropower plant, which will benefit about 30 million people across Burundi, the DRC, and Rwanda.[11] The Rwandan and Burundian governments had approved the project’s accreditation in June 2025, but the Congolese government has reportedly refused to move forward on it, arguing that Rwanda and M23—which control the site—stand to benefit the most.[12] French media has reported in recent days that the DRC and Rwanda discussed a US proposal to establish a “protected development zone” around the site during US-hosted meetings in mid-March.[13] The Congolese government reportedly rejected the proposal, however, and reiterated its position that Rwanda must withdraw its troops completely from the eastern DRC for the project to advance.[14]