Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: July 14, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in several villages along the RN2 in Kabare district in South Kivu. The DRC government reportedly arrested several senior Congolese army officials. Congolese opposition politicians criticized the US-brokered peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda and called for a national dialogue in a joint statement.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in the Bwisha chiefdom in Rutshuru district. The Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendos near Kiseguro village in Bwisha on July 14.[i] Kiseguro is about 11 miles north of Rutshuru town via road.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several villages along the RN2 in Kabare district in South Kivu. Congolese media reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in at least half a dozen villages between Katana and Lemera villages along the RN2 in Kabare from July 10 to July 13.[ii] Katana is about 25 miles north of Bukavu on the RN2. Radio Okapi reported that M23 has tried to retake full control of the RN2 in recent days.[iii]

M23 clashed with Wazalendos south of Bukavu on the RN5. The Congolese news outlet Radio Maendeleo reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in the Kamisimbi and Mumosho groups along the RN5 in Kabare district on July 11.[iv]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 in a remote part of Walikale district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendos attacked M23 positions in two villages in the Ikobo group in Walikale on July 13 and 14.[v]

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near the Masisi district capital in North Kivu. Actualite.cd reported that M23 attacked Wazalendo fighters in Shoa village on July 14.[vi] Shoa is about nine miles west of Masisi town by road. M23 clashed previously with Wazalendo fighters near Masisi town in Shoa on July 9.[vii]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near the Walungu district capital in South Kivu. An independent Congolese journalist reported on social media that M23 clashed with Wazalendos in Muzinzi, about 12 miles south of Walungu on the RN2, on July 14.[viii]   M23 last clashed with Wazalendos near Muzinzi in late June.[ix]

Major Political Developments

The DRC reportedly arrested several senior Congolese army (FARDC) officials. Congolese military intelligence services reportedly arrested General Christian Tshiwewe, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi’s former FARDC chief of staff from 2022 to 2024, and at least two of Tshiwewe’s close aides on July 8 and July 9.[x] Congolese media sources claimed on social media that the arrests followed a “foiled coup attempt” in Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, on an unspecified date.[xi] FARDC military spokesperson General Sylvain Ekenge said that the FARDC had arrested several officers for “serious breaches of military discipline” during a press conference on July 11.[xii] Congolese journalist Steve Wembi reported on social media on July 13 that the Congolese government arrested Benjamin Katende, a senior intelligence official in Tshisekedi’s presidential security force.[xiii]

Congolese opposition politicians criticized the US-brokered peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda in a joint statement. Ten political parties and platforms, including former DRC President Joseph Kabila’s platform and opposition politician Moïse Katumbi’s party, criticized the US-brokered peace deal and said that it “reduced [the eastern DRC conflict] to a bilateral conflict” with Rwanda in a joint statement released on July 11.[xiv] The opposition leaders called for a national dialogue led by a coalition of Congolese religious leaders and characterized Tshisekedi’s proposal for a national unity government as a “token dialogue sought by those in power... [to] secure a favorable outcome for their own interests.”[xv]

Rwandan President Paul Kagame met with former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss the security crisis in the eastern DRC. Kagame hosted Kenyatta in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, on July 11. [xvi] Kenyatta is one of the facilitators for an African Union-backed peace initiative in the eastern DRC.