Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: May 6, 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 M23 have reportedly made minimal progress in Qatari-mediated negotiations. M23 captured several villages in the Luhwinja chiefdom in Walungu district of South Kivu.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Nothing significant to report.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Nothing significant to report.

Southwest Axis : Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

M23 captured several villages in the Luhwinja chiefdom in Walungu district of South Kivu. M23 reportedly captured up to six villages in the southern and eastern sections of the Luhwinja chiefdom, which is roughly 7 miles west from the Kaziba chiefdom capital, on May 6.[i] The Congolese news outlet Actualite.cd cited locals in Luhwinja on May 6 who said that M23 deployed to the Twangiza gold mining site in southern Luhwinja.[ii] The Canadian mining company Banro owns the Twangiza gold mine, which produces commercially roughly $400 million of raw gold per year.[iii] Actualite.cd reported that a separate M23 contingent bypassed the Luhwinja chiefdom and the Luzinzi river valley in a potential effort to advance westward toward Mwenga district.[iv]

M23 president Bertrand Bisimwa declared on social media on May 6 that M23 “secured” the Walungu district—which presumably also refers to villages on the periphery of Bukavu, such as Nyangezi—from pro-Congolese government forces.[v] Bisimwa’s social media post included a video that touted M23’s securitization efforts, reportedly in Nyangezi.[vi] M23 has been conducting clearing operations against Wazalendo fighters in Nyangezi—about 15 miles south of Bukavu—and nearby villages since late April.[vii] Bisimwa included a separate video on May 6 that showed M23 military commander and spokesperson Willy Ngoma interacting with locals in the Kaziba chiefdom, which is adjacent to the Luhwinja chiefdom.[viii] M23 had recaptured the Kaziba chiefdom on April 27 and reportedly began advancing westward toward Luhwinja and southward from the Kaziba chiefdom capital on April 29.[ix]

Major Political Developments

The DRC and M23 have reportedly made minimal progress in Qatari-mediated negotiations. The French state media outlet Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on May 5 that the latest round of talks has not produced concrete results and “remains tense.”[x] RFI reported that both sides still disagree on several issues that prevent the process from moving into more substantive discussions.[xi] CTP previously assessed that these disputes have significantly impeded progress toward a ceasefire or a broader peace deal and are an obstacle to future talks.[xii] RFI reported that both sides sent “technical” delegations composed of security and intelligence officials to Doha, the Qatari capital, for the latest round of talks.[xiii] Reuters reported on May 6 that M23 sent a “lower-level delegation” to Doha than it did in April and reiterated its complaint that the DRC’s delegation does not have decision-making authority.[xiv]