Congo War Security Review
A daily review of activity related to the war in the eastern DRC between M23 and its Rwandan backers and pro-Congolese government forces every Monday through Friday. Map shapefiles are available by request via email at [email protected].
Author: Yale Ford
* CTP will be pausing the Congo War Security Review from May 12 through May 19. CTP will resume its usual daily schedule on May 20. *
Data Cutoff: May 8, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST
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Key Takeaway: M23 captured the Luhwinja chiefdom on the border between Mwenga and Walungu districts in South Kivu. M23 reportedly reinforced its positions in northern Masisi district in North 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
M23 reportedly reinforced its positions in northern Masisi district in North Kivu. Civil society representatives from the adjacent Walikale district claimed that M23 has deployed additional troops and military equipment between the villages of Kalembe and Mpeti on the RP1030 road since May 6.[1] Mpeti is about 10 miles east of Pinga, a garrison town on the border with Walikale district on the RP1030. The civil society members claimed that M23 aims to capture Pinga and that pro-Congolese government forces deployed to an unspecified location to block a potential M23 offensive.[2]
Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu
M23 captured the Luhwinja chiefdom on the border between Mwenga and Walungu districts in South Kivu. M23 captured at least six villages in the southern and eastern sections of the Luhwinja chiefdom, which is roughly 7 miles west of the nearby Kaziba chiefdom, with minimal resistance after pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militias withdrew on May 6.[3] Congolese media reported on May 7 that M23 had “took complete control” of the remaining areas of Luhwinja chiefdom.[4]
Major Political Developments
Nothing significant to report.
[1] https://www.mediacongo dot net/article-actualite-150363_walikale_la_societe_civile_alerte_sur_un_renforcement_des_elements_rdf_m23_vers_pinga.html; https://x.com/KadimaYassin/status/1920359895221600484; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDpWV4DOlG0
[2] https://www.mediacongo dot net/article-actualite-150363_walikale_la_societe_civile_alerte_sur_un_renforcement_des_elements_rdf_m23_vers_pinga.html
[3] https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/congo-war-security-review/congo-war-security-review-may-6-2025; https://actualite dot cd/2025/05/07/sud-kivu-calme-precaire-luhwinja-au-lendemain-de-sa-prise-par-les-rebelles-de-lafcm23; https://www.radiookapi dot net/2025/05/07/actualite/securite/le-m23-sempare-sans-combat-de-la-chefferie-de-luhwinja-au-sud-kivu
[4] https://actualite dot cd/2025/05/07/sud-kivu-calme-precaire-luhwinja-au-lendemain-de-sa-prise-par-les-rebelles-de-lafcm23; https://www.radiookapi dot net/2025/05/07/actualite/securite/le-m23-sempare-sans-combat-de-la-chefferie-de-luhwinja-au-sud-kivu; https://x.com/KivuMorningPost/status/1920138129597489401
