Congo War Security Review

*CTP will be pausing the Congo War Security Review for Labor Day in the United States on September 1. The next Congo War Security Review will publish as usual on September 3.*

Data Cutoff: August 27, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: Suspected Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) militants clashed with M23 in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters near Nyabiondo in Masisi district in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

Suspected Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) militants clashed with M23 in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Kivu Morning Post reported that FDLR militants attacked an M23 position in Kishishe village in the Bambo group in Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru on August 29.[i] The outlet reported that FDLR launched the attack from Kahumiro—a remote village about four miles north of Kishishe, where M23 launched a counterinsurgency operation against FDLR in mid-August.[ii]

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Nothing significant to report.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters near Nyabiondo in Masisi district in North Kivu. Congolese media reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Kibanda in the Waloa Yungu group in Masisi district from August 27 to August 29.[iii] CTP is unable to verify the location of Kibanda. The Waloa Yungu group is roughly 15 miles west of Nyabiondo on the RP529. M23 last clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Kibanda in early August.[iv]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

Nothing significant to report.