Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: January 14, 2026, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: The Congolese army conducted an airstrike on the M23-controlled Kalundu port in Uvira town in South Kivu. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 south of Bukavu in northern Walungu district in South Kivu. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. M23 repelled a Wazalendo attack on the RP1030 in Masisi district in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas    

M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Kivu Morning Post reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in two villages near Mweso on the RP1030 in the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru on January 12 and 13.[i] M23 also clashed with Wazalendo fighters in heavy fighting in three villages, including Bumbasha—about three miles east of Mweso on a local road in Bwito—in counterinsurgency operations on January 12.[ii]

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia  

Nothing significant to report.  

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

The Congolese army conducted an airstrike on the M23-controlled Kalundu port in Uvira town in South Kivu. An FARDC attack drone reportedly bombed the Kalundu port in Uvira on January 14.[iii] M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused the FARDC of violating the Qatari-brokered ceasefire in a statement on social media on January 14.[iv] An FARDC spokesperson denied the attack.[v] An attack drone operated from Burundi had conducted a previous air attack on the Kalundu port on December 26.[vi]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 repelled a Wazalendo attack on the RP1030 in Masisi district in North Kivu. M23 reportedly repelled the attack in Kalembe village, about 10 miles north of Mweso on the RP1030, on January 13.[vii] Wazalendo fighters have repeatedly attacked M23 in Kalembe and along the RP1030 in attempts to disrupt the rebels’ supply lines and dislodge them from their positions.

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters north of the RP1030 in Walikale district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Mulema village in the Kisimba group in Walikale on January 12.[viii] CTP is unable to verify the precise location of Mulema. M23 clashes frequently with Wazalendo fighters for control over areas in Kisimba, which is in a remote area in Walikale about six miles north of Kalembe and 10 miles east of Pinga. Actualite.cd reported separately that Wazalendos then repelled M23 attacks in three villages in Kisimba, including Mpombi—two miles north of Mpeti on the RP1030—on January 13.[ix]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu  

Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 south of Bukavu in northern Walungu district in South Kivu. Wazalendo fighters reportedly ambushed an M23 convoy and killed several rebels in Kidodobo, about 10 miles south and north of Bukavu center and Walungu town in northern Walungu, respectively, on January 13.[x] M23 had clashed with Wazalendos in three village groups, including nearby Ikomba village, in northern Walungu on January 4 and 5.[xi]

Major Political Developments  

Nothing significant to report.