Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: July 30, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: The DRC and Rwanda are set to hold the first meetings of a US-backed framework to monitor the bilateral ceasefire and conduct joint military operations. The United States has increased bilateral defense cooperation with the DRC since brokering a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda. French state media reported that several disagreements have blocked progress in the peace process between the DRC and M23. M23 continued its advance southwest of the Masisi district capital in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru district. The Congolese media outlet Kivu Morning Post reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several villages in the Bukombo group in southern Bwito on July 28 and July 29.[i] CTP is unable to verify the location of the villages. Kivu Morning Post reported that M23 launched operations against Wazalendos suspected of collaborating with Forces démocratiques de liberation du Rwanda (FDLR) militants in the Bukombo group on July 25.[ii]

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near the Kavumu airport on the RN2 in South Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendos in several villages, including in Kamakombe, in Kabare district on July 29 and July 30.[iii] Kamakombe is about one mile from Kavumu airport and 20 miles north of Bukavu on the RN2.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near the Masisi district capital in North Kivu. Radio Okapi reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendos in Showa, about eight miles west of Masisi town, and occupied the village on July 28.[iv] M23 has clashed with Wazalendo fighters on several occasions in Showa and on the RP529 between Masisi and Nyabiondo since last week.[v]

M23 continued its advance southwest of the Masisi district capital. M23 reportedly captured two villages from Wazalendo fighters in the Nyamaboko group in the Osso Banyugu sector on July 28.[vi] The two villages are roughly 21 miles southwest of Masisi town by local road. M23 has captured several villages in the Osso Banyungu sector since the group launched an offensive against Wazalendo fighters in this area early last week.[vii]

M23 reportedly reinforced its position in a remote part of Walikale district in North Kviu. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that M23 has been reinforcing its positions in the Ikobo group in Walikale with additional fighters and military equipment since July 29.[viii]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

The DRC and Rwanda are set to hold the first meetings of a US-backed framework to monitor the bilateral ceasefire and conduct joint military operations. The French state media outlet Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on July 29 that representatives from the DRC and Rwanda, along with the United States, Qatar, and the African Union, are scheduled to meet in Washington, DC, for a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee this week.[ix] RFI reported that the first meeting of the Joint Security Mechanism with representatives from the DRC and Rwanda is scheduled for next week.[x] The US-brokered peace agreement from late June originally set a deadline for the first meeting of the Joint Security Mechanism for July 27.[xi]

The United States has increased bilateral defense cooperation with the DRC since brokering a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda. RFI reported on July 30 that the United States has held limited “technical exchanges” with the DRC government centered on the “training, coordination, and professionalization” of the Congolese army (FARDC).[xii] RFI reported that the United States has ruled out direct military intervention in the DRC but wants to strengthen the FARDC to protect US investments, particularly critical mineral supply chains around the Lobito Corridor that run through the southern DRC.[xiii]

RFI reported that several disagreements have blocked progress in the peace process between the DRC and M23. The outlet reported that the two sides have disagreed on small details of the Qatari-brokered ceasefire agreement from July 19. RFI reported that the DRC government rejected M23 proposals to withdraw at least three miles from the frontlines and establish a “buffer zone” between the two forces.[xiv] RFI reported that there has been “no concrete progress” in establishing a joint monitoring and verification mechanism for the ceasefire.[xv]

The DRC and M23 have made slow progress also on implementing confidence-building measures as part of the declaration agreement. RFI reported that the two sides have made minimal progress on the prisoner release issue. The outlet reported that the DRC has reiterated its position that the amnesty of the more than 780 prisoners that M23 has demanded for release will be treated on a “case-by-case basis” as part of any final peace deal.[xvi] CTP previously reported that M23 conditioned its participation in future talks with the DRC government on the release and transfer of all M23 prisoners held by the DRC government to Goma.[xvii]