Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: October 27, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST 

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Key Takeaway: Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 near the Lubero district capital in North Kivu. Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 near Nyabiondo and Masisi towns on the RP529 in western Masisi district in North Kivu. Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 in southern Kabare district in South Kivu. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in northern Mwenga district in South Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas

Nothing significant to report.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia 

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 near the Lubero district capital in North Kivu. Wazalendo fighters reportedly attacked M23 south of Lubero town in Kalangira village in the Baswagha chiefdom on October 26.[i] CTP is unable to verify the location of Kalangira. Congolese media reported that the clash occurred near the buffer zone controlled by the Ugandan army on the frontlines in Lubero.[ii] The Congolese army distanced itself from the attack and claimed that M23 recently moved troops to two villages inside the buffer zone near Lubero town.[iii] It remains unclear whether these two villages are the same villages east of Lubero town that pro-M23 sources claimed on social media M23 captured, including Masereka, on October 26.[iv]

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Nothing significant to report. 

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani 

Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 near Nyabiondo and Masisi towns on the RP529 in western Masisi district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi reported that Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 in Lushebere village, about three miles north of Masisi town along the RP529, on October 24. [v] The outlet reported that Wazalendo fighters then attacked M23 around Nyabiondo on October 25.[vi]

M23 repelled a Wazalendo attack near the RP1030 in eastern Masisi district. M23 reportedly repelled the attack on the outskirts of Mweso in Mbuhi village near the RP1030 on October 26.[vii] Mweso is about 11 miles north of Kitchanga on the RP1030.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 in southern Kabare district in South Kivu. Wazalendo fighters reportedly attacked and dislodged M23 from several villages in the Luhago group in the Nindja chiefdom in southern Kabare on October 25.[viii] Luhago is in a remote area about eight miles north of Nzibira in Walungu district on a local road. M23 elements reportedly maintained a position in Luhago and tried unsuccessfully to retake several villages in Luhago on October 26.[ix] M23 last clashed with Wazalendos near Luhago in early October.[x]

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in northern Mwenga district in South Kivu. Etienne Mulindwa, a journalist for the Congolese media outlet Radio Maendeleo, reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in the Ntondo group in the Burhinyi chiefdom on October 27.[xi] The Ntondo group is in a remote area roughly 20 miles west of the Twangiza industrial gold mine on a local road. Mulindwa reported that M23 also clashed with Wazalendo fighters near Twangiza in the Luhwinja chiefdom on October 27.[xii]

Major Political Developments 

Nothing significant to report.