Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: November 5, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST  

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Key Takeaway: The return of state authority remains an obstacle to DRC-M23 peace talks. M23 established an office of inspector general. M23 announced the recruitment of more than 370 officials for its parallel judicial system. M23 formally established an arbitration center.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas

M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. M23 reportedly clashed with Wazalendo fighters in the Kihondo and Bukombo groups in the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru on November 3 and 4.[i] Wazalendo fighters ambushed an M23 contingent in Mashango village in Bukombo on November 3, killing at least 18 civilians.[ii] M23 has clashed regularly with Wazalendo fighters in Bwito for several weeks.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia  

Nothing significant to report.  

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Wazalendo fighters attacked M23-aligned militia positions in Mwenga district in South Kivu. Wazalendo fighters reportedly attacked M23-aligned Twirwaneho militia positions north of Minembwe town in Mikenge and Bilalombili villages on the RP527 in the Fizi highlands in Mwenga on November 4.[iii]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani  

Nothing significant to report.  

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu  

Nothing significant to report.  

Major Political Developments  

The return of state authority remains an obstacle to DRC-M23 peace talks. The French media outlet Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on November 4 and 5 that minimal progress toward a peace agreement has occurred this week and that the return of state authority remains an obstacle in ongoing talks.[iv] RFI reported that the proposal on the table is the thirteenth iteration of a draft agreement.[v] The Congolese government reportedly continues to demand M23’s unconditional withdrawal, while M23 argues for a progressive return of state authority under a national unity government.[vi] CTP had assessed in August that significant disagreements over the return of state authority and M23’s territorial control would likely prolong talks.[vii]

M23 established an office of inspector general. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka established the General Inspectorate of Governance (IGG) in a directive published on October 31.[viii] The IGG is an oversight body that will “ensure internal control, supervision, and evaluation of the administrative, financial, and operational management” of the group’s parallel government structures, with the exception of the judiciary.[ix] The directive said M23’s executive council will appoint an inspector general, along with two deputies who are in charge separately of public administration and finance.[x] The IGG also has a staff of investigators, inspectors, and trainees.[xi] The IGG will have offices in both provinces that will operate under the inspector general’s authority.[xii]

M23 announced the recruitment of more than 370 officials for its parallel judicial system. Kanyuka published a list of 378 applicants who passed a judicial entrance exam the group had administered in Goma in mid-September on November 3.[xiii] Delion Kimbulungu, a top M23 official and head of the group’s judicial affairs, said on November 3 that the results marked a “decisive step” in the group’s efforts to set up a parallel system.[xiv] M23 is expected to appoint senior magistrates and judges to courts soon.[xv] The group had established a justice commission to set up parallel courts and judicial institutions in mid-August and said repeatedly that it views the establishment of a legal system as a “strategic priority.”[xvi] The Congolese government has denounced M23’s efforts to establish parallel courts and has said it will annul any judicial acts or decisions taken by M23 authorities.[xvii]

M23 formally established an arbitration center. Kanyuka published a detailed directive for the creation, organization, operation, and monitoring of the Conciliation Center (CC-RDC) on November 4.[xviii] The group had created a dispute resolution mechanism after the group’s efforts to reshape the land economy led to widespread land conflicts in 2025.[xix] Kanyuka said that the directive formalizes and transforms the mechanism into a full-fledged arbitration center.[xx] The CC-RDC will operate in both provinces and in “each administrative entity” under the group’s judicial affairs department.[xxi] The center has a board of directors, a secretariat, a committee of conciliators, legal, administrative, and financial support staff, and an observatory for monitoring agreements.[xxii] The document details the CC-RDC’s procedures and guidelines for conflict resolution and its relationship to M23-established courts.[xxiii]