Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: April 8, 2026, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: M23 recaptured several villages from pro-Congolese government forces in the Kalehe highlands between North and South Kivu. M23 appointed a new senior political official. The Congolese army and allied forces reportedly conducted air attacks on M23-aligned militia fighters in the South Kivu highlands. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 in Rutshuru district in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas    

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Kivu Morning Post reported that Wazalendo fighters bombed a civilian residence and clashed with M23 in Bukombo village in the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru on April 6.[1] Bukombo is in southwestern Bwito, roughly 10 miles east of Kitchanga town on the RP1030.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia  

Nothing significant to report.  

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 recaptured several villages from pro-Congolese government forces in the Kalehe highlands between North and South Kivu. M23 reportedly retook control of at least eight villages, including Tushunguti, after attacking Wazalendo fighters in the Ziralo group in northern Kalehe between April 6 and 8.[2] Tushunguti is about 18 miles west of Numbi, a mineral trading center, on a local road. Fighting also took place in an area overlooking Lumbishi town in northern Kalehe on April 7.[3] Lumbishi is situated between the Ziralo group and Numbi, about four miles south of Kashovu village in Masisi district in North Kivu. The FARDC had claimed that it recaptured four villages in northern Kalehe from M23 around April 4.[4] The two sides have clashed in several groups in Kalehe, including Ziralo, since late March.[5]

The Congolese army (FARDC) and allied forces reportedly conducted air attacks on M23-aligned militia fighters in the South Kivu highlands. M23 and M23-aligned sources claimed that the FARDC and allied forces conducted drone attacks on Mikenge village, 15 miles north of Minembwe town, on April 7.[6]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani 

M23 reportedly clashed with Wazalendo fighters in north-central Masisi district in North Kivu. A pro-Congolese government media outlet reported on social media that Wazalendo fighters dislodged M23 from Nyange village, about 20 miles southwest of Kashuga on the RP1030, on April 8.[7] CTP is unable to verify this claim.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu  

Nothing significant to report.  

Major Political Developments  

M23 appointed a new senior political official. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka announced in a statement on April 7 that the group appointed Vicky Ntumba as chief of staff to Corneille Nangaa, M23’s political head.[8] Ntumba previously served in the regime of DRC President Félix Tshisekedi.[9] M23 had suspended Nangaa’s previous chief of staff, Yannick Tshisola, for alleged misconduct in mid-March.[10]

Significant US-Backed Regional Economic Activity

Nothing significant to report.