Congo War Security Review

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

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Key Takeaway: The DRC and Rwanda formally signed the US-backed regional peace framework. M23 ground forces advanced southward on the RN5 in South Kivu. M23 made separate advances in southern Walungu district to the west of the RN5. M23 repelled pro-Congolese government Wazalendo attacks on the outskirts of Bukavu in South Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas

Nothing significant to report.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia   

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government forces on the frontlines in South Kivu for the fourth consecutive day. M23 had launched large-scale offensives in two frontline areas and clashed with the Congolese army (FARDC), pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters, and Burundian army (FDNB) troops on December 2 and 3.[i] Thousands of people have reportedly fled the fighting near the RN5 in recent days.[ii] The two sides exchanged artillery fire and clashed again in the tri-border area between Kamanyola and Katagota villages about 30 miles south of Bukavu along the RN5 on December 4 and 5.[iii] The FARDC claimed on December 4 that it killed “several hundred” M23 fighters on the frontlines.[iv] M23 claimed on December 4 that it had captured over 100 Burundian soldiers along the RN5.[v] M23 reportedly shelled government-controlled areas southeast of Kamanyola, with some of its artillery stationed in Nyangezi—about 20 miles north of Kamanyola on the RN5.[vi] M23 reportedly shot down a Turkish-made FARDC attack drone over Katagota on December 4.[vii] The group fired projectiles that fell on the Burundian side of the border in at least two towns in western Burundi’s Cibitoke province around December 5.[viii] M23 accused the FDNB of shelling its positions in Kamanyola for several days from Burundian territory.[ix] Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly bombed an M23-controlled telecommunications tower north of Kamanyola on December 5.[x]

M23 ground forces advanced southward on the RN5. The precise lines of territorial control are unclear, but M23 reportedly retained control of Kamanyola and parts of Katagota during the reporting period, despite several pro-Congolese government attempts to dislodge the group from Katagota and retake Kamanyola.[xi] The group redeployed additional troops to the Kamanyola frontline via the RN5 from Bukavu and Lake Kivu around December 4, as fighting reached Luvungi—a key forward position for pro-Congolese government forces five miles south of Katagota —on December 4.[xii] Civilians fled en masse from Luvungi toward Burundi and southward on the RN5 on December 4.[xiii] M23 shelled Luvungi and Lubarika village, about five miles northwest of Luvungi on a local road, before reportedly taking control of the two villages on December 5.[xiv]

M23 made advances in the Kaziba chiefdom in southern Walungu to the west of the RN5. Pro-Congolese government forces had thwarted M23’s attempt to break through their positions in Kaziba to capture Luvungi on the RN5 when the rebel group launched its initial attacks on December 2.[xv] The two sides clashed again in Kaziba on December 4 and 5.[xvi] The FARDC used fighter jets and attack drones to bombard M23 positions in several villages in Kaziba.[xvii] M23 captured several key positions in Kaziba and the adjacent Bafuliru chiefdom in Uvira district after dislodging pro-Congolese government forces on December 4, before FARDC-Wazalendo forces reportedly halted their advance.[xviii] The Congolese army claimed that it repelled an M23 attempt to advance from Kaziba and capture Rurambo village, which is roughly 13 miles west of Luvungi on the RN5 on a local road, on December 4.[xix]

M23 repelled Wazalendo attacks on the outskirts of Bukavu. M23 reportedly repelled a Wazalendo incursion in the Mudaka group, about 12 miles north of Bukavu center in Kabare district on the RN2, on December 4.[xx]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Nothing significant to report.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments   

The DRC and Rwanda formally signed the US-backed regional peace framework. US President Donald Trump hosted DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Washington, DC, to ratify the US-backed peace framework—referred to as the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity—on December 4.[xxi] The African Union, France, Qatar, and the UN mission in the DRC commended the signing on December 4.[xxii] The Washington Accords consist of the Declaration of Principles agreement from April 25, the Peace Agreement from June 27, the Regional Integration Economic Framework (REIF) from November 7, and separate bilateral agreements between the United States and the DRC and Rwanda.[xxiii] Foreign ministers from the DRC and Rwanda formally signed the REIF on December 4.[xxiv] The REIF centers on regional cooperation in various economic sectors, namely energy, infrastructure, mineral supply chains, conservation, public health.[xxv] The United States also signed separate bilateral agreements with the DRC and Rwanda on December 4. The United States signed a bilateral economic deal and a memorandum of understanding for a security partnership with the DRC.[xxvi] The United States also signed a bilateral economic deal with Rwanda.[xxvii]