Congo War Security Review

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Key Takeaway: Both M23 and the Congolese army have reportedly fortified their positions in South Kivu in recent days. M23 officials arrived in Qatar for a fifth round of direct peace talks with the DRC government. M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in northeastern Masisi district in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in northeastern Masisi district in North Kivu. Congolese media reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several villages near Kashuga on the RP1030 on July 8 and July 9.[i]

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Both M23 and the Congolese army (FARDC) have reportedly fortified their positions in South Kivu in recent days. Videos circulated on social media of several truckloads of M23 reinforcements moving toward a military camp in Bukavu, the M23-controlled South Kivu provincial capital, in early July.[ii] The FARDC flew in at least several hundred troops to Kalemie—the Tanganyika provincial capital—who then deployed to several areas south of Bukavu in South Kivu, including in southern South Kivu in Fizi district, Uvira town on Lake Tanganyika, and about 40 miles north of Uvira in Kamanyola on the RN5 on the front lines with M23.[iii] Uvira is the second second-most-populated city in South Kivu and a transportation hub with access to Lake Tanganyika and Burundi’s economic capital, Bujumbura, roughly 16 miles to the east.[iv] The front line between M23 and pro-Congolese government forces in South Kivu has been frozen at Kamanyola, which is about 30 miles south of Bukavu, since March.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Nothing significant to report.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

M23 officials arrived in Qatar for a fifth round of direct peace talks with the DRC government. M23’s lead negotiator in Qatar, Benjamin Mbonimpa, said on social media on July 8 that the M23 delegation had arrived in Doha, the Qatari capital.[v] Congolese journalist Yassin Kombi cited on social media a member of the M23 delegation who said that M23 has been in Doha since July 7.[vi]