Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: October 22, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST 

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Key Takeaway: The Congolese army conducted drone strikes on M23 positions on the RP1030 in North Kivu. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 positions south of Bukavu along the RN5 in South Kivu. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in north-central Masisi district in North Kivu. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near the Walungu district capital in South Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 positions in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Kivu Morning Post reported that Wazalendo fighters attacked several M23 positions in the Tongo group in Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru on October 21.[i] The Tongo group is about 20 miles east of Kitchanga on the RP1030 and 12 miles west of Rutshuru town. M23 has clashed with Wazalendo fighters regularly in Bwito since early October, when M23 launched counterinsurgency operations against Wazalendo and suspected Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) militants.[ii]

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia 

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 positions south of Bukavu along the RN5 in South Kivu. Wazalendo fighters reportedly attacked M23 and clashed with the rebel group in at least 10 villages about 15 miles south of Bukavu and three miles south of Nyangezi village along the RN5 in Walungu district on October 21 and 22.[iii]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani 

The Congolese army (FARDC) conducted drone strikes on M23 positions on the RP1030 in North Kivu. FARDC drones reportedly targeted M23 positions near Kalembe village on the RP1030 along the border between Masisi and Walikale districts and in the Kisimba group in two separate airstrikes on October 21.[iv] M23 has used Kalembe as a supply point to move troops and weaponry to the frontlines. M23 denounced the FARDC airstrikes on social media on October 21 and 22 as a violation of the Qatar-brokered ceasefire.[v] The FARDC has targeted multiple M23 positions along the RP1030 in airstrikes since September.

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in north-central Masisi district. M23 reportedly clashed with Wazalendos in at least two villages, including Bibwe, in the Bashali Mokoto group on October 21.[vi] Bibwe is about 15 miles southeast of Pinga on a local road. M23 has clashed with Wazalendo fighters frequently in Bashali Mokoto since around October 13.[vii]

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near Masisi town in central Masisi. Kivu Morning Post reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Kalungu, four miles north of Masisi town on a local road, on October 21.[viii]

M23 attacked Wazalendo positions in southern Masisi. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that M23 attacked Wazalendo positions in Kazinga, about 17 miles southwest of Masisi town, on October 22.[ix] M23 last clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Kazinga in early September.[x]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near the Walungu district capital in South Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Radio Maendeleo reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several villages in the Lurhala group on October 20 and 21.[xi] The Lurhala group is about six miles east of Walungu town.

Major Political Developments 

Nothing significant to report.