Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: August 4, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: The DRC and Rwanda agreed on the outline of a US-led regional economic framework. The first meeting for the Joint Security Mechanism between the DRC and Rwanda is scheduled to take place at the end of this week. M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in several areas in Masisi district in North Kivu. M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru district.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru district. Congolese media reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several villages in the Kihondo group in Bwito between August 1 and August 4.[i] The Kihondo group is about two miles south of Nyanzale on the RP1030 in northern Bwito. The Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi reported that the clashes are part of M23’s operations against suspected Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) militants and allied Wazalendo fighters in the area.[ii]

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters north of Bukavu along the RN2 in South Kivu. Radio Okapi reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Kamakombe village in Kabare district on August 2.[iii] Kamakombe is about one mile from Kavumu airport and 20 miles north of Bukavu on the RN2. M23 last clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Kamakombe in late July.[iv]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in southern Masisi district in North Kivu. Congolese media reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several villages in the Katoyi sector in southern Masisi, including Kashovu and Katuunda villages, on August 4.[v] Katuunda is roughly 27 miles south of Rubaya town in Masisi. Radio Okapi reported that the clashes are part of M23’s operations against suspected FDLR militants and allied Wazalendo fighters in the area.[vi]

Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 on the RP1030 in northern Masisi. Congolese media reported that Wazalendos attacked several M23 positions in Kalembe village on the RP1030 on August 3.[vii]

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near Nyabiondo on the RP529 in western Masisi. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendos in a village near Kasopo on the district border between Masisi and Walikale on August 3.[viii] Kasopo is roughly seven miles southwest of Nyabiondo by local road.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

The DRC and Rwanda agreed on the outline of a US-led regional economic framework. Representatives from the DRC and Rwanda signed a preliminary draft agreement for a regional economic framework in Washington, DC, on August 1.[ix] The US State Department said in a press release that the two sides agreed to cooperate on economic initiatives in sectors including energy, infrastructure, mining, national park management and tourism, and public health.[x] Reuters reported on August 1 that there will be an “input period” to receive feedback from private companies and civil society organizations before the framework is finalized and signed at a head of state summit in Washington, DC, on an unspecified date.[xi]

The first meeting for the Joint Security Mechanism between the DRC and Rwanda is scheduled to take place at the end of this week. Reuters cited an insider source on August 1 who said that the first meeting will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on August 7.[xii] Representatives from the DRC and Rwanda, along with the African Union, Qatar, and the United States, had held the first Joint Oversight Committee meeting on July 31.[xiii]