Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: May 2, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Read CTP’s latest analysis on peace talks between the DRC, M23, and Rwanda and Uganda’s role in the DRC in the latest Africa File here. To receive the Africa File and Congo War Security Review via email, please subscribe here.

Key Takeaway: The DRC and Rwanda are expected to finalize a peace agreement in late May. M23 launched a major road rehabilitation project in Masisi district for the first time. M23 repelled a Wazalendo attack in a remote village on the border between North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 repelled a Wazalendo attack in a remote village on the border between North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. The Congolese news outlet Kivu Morning Post reported on May 2 that M23 repelled the attack in Kashovu village in Masisi district in southern South Kivu.[1] Kashovu is roughly 26 miles south of the mining town of Rubaya in Masisi district. M23 last clashed with Wazalendos near Kashovu in two nearby villages on April 23.[2]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

The DRC and Rwanda are expected to finalize a peace agreement in late May. The US brokered a declaration of principles agreement between the DRC and Rwanda on April 25 and set a deadline for May 2 for the parties to draft a preliminary peace agreement.[3] The two sides are expected to submit separate drafts of a peace agreement for review by the deadline.[4] US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and foreign ministers from the DRC and Rwanda will reportedly meet in Washington in late May to finalize the agreement.[5] US President Donald Trump’s senior advisor for Africa, Massad Boulous, told Reuters on May 1 that the United States requires that the DRC and Rwanda finalize the details of bilateral economic agreements with the United States before signing the broader peace deal.[6] Boulos said that Western companies have committed to investing in the Great Lakes region but have conditioned “multi-billion dollar investments” on the ratification of the bilateral economic agreements with the United States.[7] US President Donald Trump is expected to host DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Washington to sign the peace agreement at the end of deliberations in June.[8] Boulos said that the United States requires Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the eastern DRC and cut its support for M23 and for the DRC to “address Rwanda’s security concerns” with anti-Rwandan militias before the signing ceremony takes place.[9] Boulos told Reuters that France, Qatar, Togo, and the United States established a joint security mechanism to “monitor both countries’ progress toward the peace deal” on April 30 as agreed upon in the declaration of principles agreement on April 25.[10]

M23 launched a major road rehabilitation project in Masisi district for the first time. The M23-appointed governor of North Kivu, Musanga Erasto, commissioned the paving of a 35-mile stretch of the RP529 from Sake to Masisi town on May 2.[11] Manzi Willy, the M23-appointed vice governor of North Kivu in charge of political affairs, said on social media on May 2 that the road is a “symbol of a new era.”[12] Kivu Morning Post reported on May 2 that M23 is independently funding the project which plans to be completed in September 2025.[13] A revamped road between Sake and Masisi road would help to facilitate trade and the movement of food products and minerals from Masisi district to Goma.[14] The Congolese media outlet Tazama RDC said on social media on May 2 that M23 may partially finance the project from a toll tax paid by travelers and economic operators on the RP529.[15] Erasto said that M23 will also launch a rehabilitation project for a roadway, presumably the RP1030, that connects Sake and Kanyabayonga in Lubero district.[16]