Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: November 10, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST  

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Read CTP’s latest analysis on the war in the eastern DRC in the weekly Africa File here.    

Key Takeaway: The DRC and Rwanda signed the US-backed Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF). The Congolese government and M23 held the first monitoring meeting for the ceasefire verification mechanism. M23 attacked pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in Rutshuru district in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas    

M23 attacked pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in Rutshuru district in North Kivu. M23 reportedly attacked Wazalendo fighters in Kinyankuku village in the Bukombo group in Rutshuru district on November 10.[i] CTP is unable to verify the precise location of Kinyankuku. The Bukombo group is roughly 10 miles east of Kitchanga town on the RP1030. M23 has clashed frequently with Wazalendo fighters in Bukombo in recent weeks.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia  

Nothing significant to report.  

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Nothing significant to report.  

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 signed the US-backed Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF). Representatives from the DRC and Rwanda, along with Qatar, Togo as the African Union representative, and the United States, met for the fourth Joint Oversight Committee meeting in Washington, DC on November 7.[ii] The DRC and Rwanda signed the REIF, which centers around cooperation in economic initiatives in sectors including energy, infrastructure, mining, national park management and tourism, and public health.[iii] The Congolese and Rwandan presidents were tentatively expected to sign the REIF and the broader peace agreement in a head of state ceremony in Washington on November 13, but Reuters reported on November 7 that the official date has yet to be confirmed.[iv] DRC President Félix Tshisekedi said in a speech on November 7 that the United States would formally invite him and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to sign the peace agreement soon.[v]

The REIF’s implementation is contingent on the implementation of the security aspects of the late June peace agreement, according to the readout.[vi] The oversight committee acknowledged slow progress and agreed on “specific near-term actions” related to the military plan to eradicate the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) and see Rwanda withdraw its troops from the eastern DRC.[vii] The committee discussed preparations for military operations against the FDLR in a “named area of interest” and adopted an implementing agreement.[viii] The FDLR has yet to voluntarily surrender to the Congolese army (FARDC) or UN forces despite pressure from the Congolese government since early October. French state media had reported that the DRC and Rwanda would present their proposals for operations against the FDLR if it refused to surrender during the third meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism in late October.[ix]

The Congolese government and M23 held the first monitoring meeting for the ceasefire verification mechanism. The Qatari delegation said at the Joint Oversight Committee meeting that the two sides convened for the initial meeting on November 5.[x] The FARDC accused M23 publicly of conducting new attacks in North and South Kivu in violation of the ceasefire in recent days on November 8, however.[xi] Qatar also said that the two sides have made progress on prisoner exchanges during the oversight committee meeting.[xii]