Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: September 11, 2026, at 2 P.M. EST

To receive the Africa File and Congo War Security Review via email, please subscribe here.

Follow CTP on X, LinkedIn, and BlueSky for daily updates.

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

Key Takeaway: M23 continued to consolidate its territorial control in southern Masisi district in North Kivu and reportedly pushed westward into previously uncontested areas of southwestern Masisi near the border with Walikale district for the first time. M23 made gains toward Pinga town on the RP1030 on northern Masisi’s border with Walikale. Significant fighting between pro-Congolese government forces and M23-allied Twirwaneho fighters took place on a line of advance toward Minembwe town in the South Kivu highlands. Private military contractors employed by the Congolese government allegedly arrested two Burundian army officers in South Kivu and transferred them to Kinshasa, the Congolese capital.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

Nothing significant to report.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Significant fighting between pro-Congolese government forces and M23-allied Twirwaneho fighters took place on a line of advance toward Minembwe town in the South Kivu highlands. CTP reported previously that pro-Congolese government forces reportedly reinforced their ranks and continued their offensive launched in mid-August on Twirwaneho fighters in the highlands to capture Point Zéro, an operationally significant hilltop about 15 miles east of Minembwe town.[1] A Twirwaneho source and possible militant claimed on social media on September 3 that fighters from Israeli-trained FARDC special force units known as the Owls retreated on the Point Zéro axis after suffering setbacks from Twirwaneho forces.[2] M23-aligned media outlets and sources on social media claimed that Twirwaneho fighters took control of Nakihele village after dislodging the Congolese army (FARDC), Wazalendo fighters, and Burundian army (FDNB) troops on September 3.[3] Nakihele is about four miles northeast of Kanguli and 17 miles east of Point Zéro on local roads. Twirwaneho and M23-aligned sources claimed on social media on September 4 that three new Owl battalions trained by Israeli operatives in Lubumbashi in the Katanga region in the southern DRC had deployed to the front lines to Kwamulima (Mulima), which is on a line of advance toward Point Zéro and a key forward position for the DRC coalition.[4] Local sources in Mulima told the M23-aligned media outlet Kivu Morning Post on September 4 that several battalions consisting of FARDC and FDNB troops had arrived.[5] Twirwaneho’s spokesperson, Fidèle Rugabo, claimed on social media on September 4 that pro-Congolese government forces launched drone and artillery attacks from Mulima on Nyaruhinga and Mukoko villages around Minembwe and were setting conditions for new attacks on the Rugezi and Kabanja axes south of Minembwe.[6] One Congolese-government aligned source claimed in several posts on social media on September 4 that pro-Congolese government forces were bombing Nyaruhinga and Mukoko and conducting attacks on M23-allied force positions in Rugezi.[7] Congolese government-aligned sources first said on social media in unverified claims on September 4 that the FARDC shot down an enemy aircraft over Minembwe.[8] The FARDC reportedly conducted attacks on Twirwaneho positions around Point Zéro and Angùle village on September 6.[9] Angùle village may be in the locality of Nakihele. M23-aligned and Twirwaneho sources claimed that Twirwaneho repelled the attacks and routed pro-Congolese government forces before taking control of Mulima and Angùle on September 6.[10] M23-aligned media sources claimed that Twirwaneho defeated pro-Congolese government forces that had deployed to Mulima in major fighting in Kanguli and killed three Colombian private military contractors (PMCs).[11] Independent French journalist Christophe Riguad cited on social media several security sources on September 6 who claimed that Colombian PMCs linked to Erik Prince, an American citizen and PMC with close ties to US President Donald Trump’s administration, withdrew from the highlands to Uvira town.[12] One M23-aligned source claimed on social media on September 6 that the Prince-linked PMCs who fled were present at a hotel in Gatumba town near Bujumbura, Burundi’s economic capital.[13] The M23-aligned investigative outlet Great Lakes Eye cited military sources in an unverified report on September 9 who claimed that pro-Congolese government forces suffered heavy losses in Fizi in early September, with as many as 470 soldiers killed during operations against rebel coalition forces.[14]

Congolese government-aligned media sources began claiming on social media on September 6 that pro-Congolese government forces retained control of Kanguli and Mulima, however.[15] The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported on September 7 that locals in Kanguli, Masunga, and Nakihele had fled after clashes between the two sides since September 6 but that pro-Congolese government forces retained control of Kanguli, Nakiehele and Mulima.[16] M23-aligned and Twirwaneho sources claimed on social media on September 7 that Twirwaneho forces captured a vehicle-mounted Chinese-made Yitian short-range anti-aircraft missile system that PMCs had abandoned before withdrawing from Kanguli or Mulima, however.[17] The FARDC’s regional spokesperson denied in a statement on September 8 that Mulima had fallen to Twirwaneho forces and claimed that the FARDC had recovered a position near Point Zéro.[18] Media sources on both sides claimed on social media on September 8 that the other side suffered heavy losses in fighting around Kanguli.[19] Congolese government-aligned media sources posted videos on social media on September 9 claiming that rebel forces coming from the Kaziba chiefdom in southern Walungu district were moving toward the Uvira and Mwenga highlands.[20] Two Congolese government-aligned media sources had claimed on September 7 that pro-Congolese government forces attacked M23 positions in Kaziba on September 7.[21] M23’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted attacks using one-way attack drones on Point Zéro and Nyamabuguma near Minembwe on September 10.[22] Rugabo and Twirwaneho-aligned sources claimed on September 10 and 11 that pro-Congolese government forces continued to regroup in various areas in the highlands and midlands—including Lubarika in Uvira district—and reinforce their ranks on at least four axes around Minembwe.[23] Rugabo claimed that four FARDC battalions, two FDNB battalions, and Wazalendo and P5 fighters were stationed in Rubarati and two other villages near the Bijombo group in the midlands northeast of Minembwe.[24] Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly recaptured Rubarati and other operationally significant positions in the midlands northwest of Uvira town in late August.[25] The uptick in fighting in the highlands since mid-to-late August has reportedly caused significant humanitarian displacements.[26]

Media ecosystems on both sides echoed new claims of foreign involvement in South Kivu. M23-aligned sources claimed on social media on September 4 that the Tanzanian army recently deployed troops to the eastern DRC in support of pro-Congolese government forces.[27] M23-aligned sources also claimed that the Angolan army recently deployed troops to Katanga.[28] One Congolese-government aligned source claimed on social media on September 3 that the Tanzanian army will deploy to the eastern DRC to support the FARDC.[29] The same source also said that Angola troops would support the FARDC in Katanga against M23.[30] M23-aligned sources also claimed on September 4 that Belgium forces stationed in Kindu town in Maniema province had deployed 300 to 400 troops and ground assets to the eastern DRC.[31] A separate Congolese-government aligned source claimed on social media on September 3 that Rwandan, Kenyan, and Somali soldiers crossed the border into the DRC from Rwanda toward Kamanyola town in South Kivu on September 2.[32] This source claimed on September 4 that Somali and Kenyan fighters were present around Point Zéro.[33] Congolese government-aligned sources had first claimed that Somali nationals were fighting on the side of M23 in Walungu district in mid-August.[34] The head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office released information on social media on September 7 about Ukrainian intelligence operatives deployed across Africa and included a photo of Ukrainian fighters deployed in the DRC.[35] One Congolese government-aligned media source and likely FARDC special unit soldier claimed on social media that the photo was taken in the highlands and that Ukrainian operatives have helped M23 and the Rwandan army pilot attack drones used against pro-Congolese government forces.[36] The source claimed that a Ukrainian national was one of the pilots operating a Russian-made Antonov-model cargo plane that pro-Congolese government forces had shot down over Minembwe in late August.[37] Another Congolese government-aligned source had claimed in late August that the reported two pilots were Ukrainian.[38] M23-aligned and pro-Rwandan media sources have claimed previously in 2026 that Ukrainian PMCs have fought on the side of the Congolese government against M23.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 continued to consolidate its territorial control in southern Masisi district in North Kivu and reportedly pushed westward into previously uncontested areas of southwestern Masisi near the border with Walikale district for the first time. CTP reported previously that significant fighting took place in southern Masisi and that M23 had taken control of several key positions near the triborder area between Kalehe district in South Kivu and Masisi and Walikale districts.[39] This reportedly included Mitimingi, which is in a remote area in the Katoyi sector in southern Masisi—about 26 miles southwest of the mining town of Rubaya on local roads.[40] Fighting had reportedly concentrated on Biriko—about 10 miles southwest of Remeka—which is in the Ufamandu first group in Katoyi and the gateway town to the Waloa Loanda group in southeastern Walikale.[41] The Waloa Yungu group is near the border between Masisi and Walikale, its eastern edge touching the Osso Banyungu sector in Masisi. Videos circulated by M23-aligned media sources on September 4 purportedly showed a government helicopter and Congolese government-employed PMCs supplying weapons and provisions to Wazalendo fighters in Kimua in Walikale near the border with Masisi.[42] M23 reportedly repelled Wazalendo fighter attacks on its positions in Miko village, which is reportedly near Katuunda town—about 27 miles southwest of Rubaya—on September 5.[43] M23 had captured Katuunda, Miko, and nearby Chingete village from Wazalendo fighters on August 18, following a Wazalendo offensive in southern Masisi and northern Kalehe.[44] M23 reportedly attacked pro-Congolese government force positions and took control of Kibundi and Mwima, two remote villages in the Katoyi sector in Masisi near the border with Walikale, on September 6.[45] Actualite.cd reported on September 7 that displaced households coming from Masisi, including Ngululu, had been fleeing to Kyumba and Langira villages in Waloa Yungu due to the heightened fighting since September 3.[46] Langira is in a rural area roughly eight miles east of Ntoto on a local road. M23 then reportedly advanced on an axis northeast of Waloa Yungu to capture Ngululu before subsequently taking control of Humura in the Nyamaboko first group in the Osso Banyungu sector in Masisi from FARDC and Wazalendo fighters following heavy fighting on September 6.[47] M23 then used its position in Humura to advance further to Kibahemula and Rutoboko and then another mile to attack Wazalendo fighters in Kishee.[48] Actualite.cd reported that locals in Kyumba and Langira then fled on September 7 amid M23’s advance in the area.[49] M23 reportedly took control of Kazinga town from FARDC and Wazalendo fighters on September 7.[50] Kazinga is in Nyamaboko first, about miles northeast from Ngululu and 13 miles southwest of Masisi town on local roads. Actualite.cd reported that Kazinga eventually fell to M23 after the group had conducted attacks on Wazalendo positions in the town beginning on September 5.[51] Wazalendo fighters reportedly conducted counterattacks and retook control of Rutoboko and Kibahemula from M23 on September 8, however, with Humura remaining under M23 control.[52] Kibahemula and Rutoboko are about two miles west of Humura on a local road. Wazalendo fighters reportedly recaptured additional villages in the area from M23 on September 9, including Mwima and Ngomashi, pushing M23 back toward Ngululu.[53] Ngomashi is about one mile south of Humura on a local road. The FARDC and Wazalendo fighters coming from Waloa Yungu and adjacent Waloa Uroba group reportedly recaptured Humura after conducting counterattacks on M23 and pushed M23 back toward Kazinga on September 10.[54] Wazalendo fighters then reportedly ambushed M23 contingents on the road between Kazinga and Mahanga after Humura had fallen.[55]

M23 made gains toward Pinga town on the RP1030 on northern Masisi’s border with Walikale. CTP reported in early September that significant fighting took place between M23 and Wazalendo fighters in the Kisimba group, which is in a remote area in Walikale about six miles north of Kalembe and 10 miles east of Pinga on the RP1030.[56] Congolese government-aligned sources claimed on social media that FARDC and Wazalendo fighters attacked and clashed with M23 in Malemo and Luola villages on the RP1030 on September 4.[57] Malemo is about 15 miles east of Pinga. Luola is reportedly located in the Banakindi locality in Kisimba near Minjenje, which is about three miles northwest of Malemo on the RP1030. Clashes on the front lines reportedly continued on September 5, as FARDC-Wazalendo fighters reportedly dislodged M23 and captured several positions, including around Mpeti, high ground around Minjenje, and positions above Malemo center, as fighting continued around Malemo.[58] Wazalendo warlord Guidon Muissa reportedly held a local meeting on September 5 after retaking positions around Mpeti.[59] M23 forces reportedly conducted a flanking maneuver on September 6 and dislodged FARDC and Wazalendo elements from positions above Minejnje and Katobi, Burayi, and Malemo, however.[60] Katobi is about two miles west of Mpeti on the RP1030 and the last village on the RP1030 before Pinga. Heavy artillery attacks attributed to M23 on government troops on Minjenje, Katobi, Burayi, and Malemo reportedly forced FARDC-Wazalendo fighters to retreat to Mpeti, which they still controlled despite the M23 maneuver.[61] M23 reportedly received reinforcements that came from Rutshuru district and deployed to Ihula village, which is in Kisimba, in support an offensive Pinga via Mpeti.[62] The FARDC or Congolese government-employed PMCs reportedly conducted an airstrike on M23 positions in Malemo and Luola on September 8 after the rebels had reinforced their positions.[63] Actualite.cd reported that M23 bombed government positions in Minjenje on September 9.[64] Fighting between the two sides reportedly continued around Malemo and Luola on September 10 as the two sides vied for control of key positions.[65] Kanyuka claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted attacks on Ihula, Malemo and Minjenje on September 10.[66] M23 then reportedly took control of Minjenje after clashing with FARDC and Wazalendo fighters on September 10.[67] Kivu Morning Post reported that Wazalendo fighters attacked an M23 position in Ihula village in Kisimba on September 11.[68] The Congolese government-aligned media outlet Tazama RDC reported that an M23 contingent coming from the Ikobo group to the north of Kisimba conducted an attack on pro-Congolese government forces on a rural village in Kisimba on September 11 in an attempt to link up with other M23 contingents who had captured Minjenje on September 10.[69]

Fighting reportedly broke out west of Nyabiondo near the RP529 road along western Masisi’s border with Walikale. Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendo fighters conducted attacks on M23 positions in Shango and Mahanga villages in the Butsike locality in the Nyamaboko first group in the Osso Banyungu sector in Masisi on September 5.[70] FARDC and Wazalendo fighters then reportedly clashed with M23 in Mahanga and Buhimba villages near the Masisi-Walikale border on September 8.[71] The two villages are key crossing points between this part of the Masisi-Walikale border. Buhimba is in the Waloa Yungu group in eastern Walikale, around 12 miles west of Nyabiondo in Masisi district on the RP529, whereas Mahanga is situated in the Osso Banyungu sector in Masisi. M23 reportedly received reinforcements in the Luberike group, which is north of Waloa Yungu, around Kashebere and Kibati on the RP529, around September 8.[72] Kashebere and Kibati are about eight and 21 miles west of Nyabiondo, respectively. Actualite.cd reported that clashes resumed around Buhimba and Mahanga on September 10 that Wazalendo fighters coming from Walikale had launched attacks on M23 positions.[73] Kanyuka claimed on social media that government forces conducted attacks on Buhimba on September 10.[74] FARDC and Wazalendo forces then reportedly conducted attacks on M23 in Kibati in Luberike on September 10 and 11 in an attempt to capture the position.[75] M23 has fully controlled Kibati since October 2025. Kanyuka claimed on social media that government forces conducted attacks on Kibati on September 10.[76] Wazalendo fighters reportedly then captured Kibati center from M23 after two days of significant fighting on September 11.[77] The fighting then shifted to and continued in Mahanga for the third straight day, before pro-Congolese government forces reportedly took control of the position on September 11.[78]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Clashes reportedly continued south of Walungu town in South Kivu. CTP reported previously that fighting between M23 and Wazalendo fighters took place around the Walungu district capital as part of an offensive that Wazalendo fighters had launched in the Walungu highlands in late August.[79] The two sides reportedly clashed in Kaniola between September 6 and 8.[80]

Major Political Developments

PMCs employed by the Congolese government allegedly arrested two FDNB officers in South Kivu and transferred them to Kinshasa, the Congolese capital. CTP reported previously M23 and Rwanda conducted a targeted airstrike on a hotel in Fizi district south of the front lines using a Turkish-made medium-altitude long-endurance attack drone on August 19.[81] Pro-Congolese government forces had been setting conditions for the ongoing Minembwe offensive. SOS Médias Burundi had confirmed in late August initial reporting that the strike had likely targeted several Congolese and Burundian military officials, namely the deputy commander of the FDNB land forces, the FDNB’s operations officer, and an FARDC regional commander, who were using the hotel to prepare new military operations with PMCs in South Kivu but had left the area before the attack.[82] The report also had said that authorities arrested several FDNB and FARDC officers as part of an investigation into a possible intelligence leak.[83] SOS Médias Burundi claimed in an unverified report on September 1 that FDNB Captain Félicien Kanjori and FDNB Major Jérémie Nitunga were among those arrested for allegedly providing target information to enemy forces that led to the August 19 strike.[84] The report cited several sources and local testimonies that said that PMCs—not Wazalendo fighters as originally reported—had arrested Kanjori and Nitunga and transferred them to Kinshasa under the custody of Congolese military intelligence services.[85] Great Lakes Eye cited unidentified sources in unverified reports on September 5 and 9 who echoed this account.[86]

Two separate exchanges of gunfire have reportedly occurred along the Burundi-Rwanda border since late August. SOS Médias Burundi reported on September 8 that Rwandan soldiers reportedly fired upon three Burundian fishermen who had mistakenly crossed the border at the Kanyaru River from Butanyerera province in northern Burundi.[87] The outlet reported that Burundian and Rwandan soldiers then exchanged fire briefly near the Kagera River, which borders northeastern Burundi’s Buhumuza province, on September 5, after Rwandan farmers had reportedly crossed over the border into Burundi.[88] SOS Médias Burundi cited a local administrative source who offered a different account of the September 5 incident, claiming that Burundian soldiers had fired upon a small motorized boat operated by the Rwandan navy after believing that the boat had crossed into Burundi.[89] Military forces from both sides reportedly reinforced their positions along their respective sides of the border following the two incidents.[90] The report said that hundreds of Burundian soldiers and members of the Imbonerakure, civilians of the affiliated youth wing of Burundi’s ruling party, positioned along the Kagera River.[91]

The UN repatriated over 100 members of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR). The UN’s mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) said on social media that MONUSCO repatriated 120 FDLR members and their dependents to the Mutobo demobilization center in northwestern Rwanda in coordination with the Congolese and Rwandan governments on September 8.[92]

Rwanda claimed that it repatriated around 300 refugees from the DRC. Rwanda’s Ministry in charge of Emergency Management said on social media on September 9 that Rwanda had received 366 Rwandan refugees from the DRC via Goma, Bukavu, and Kamanyola.[93] The last reported repatriation was in early August.[94] At least 3,000 refugees have returned to Rwanda this year, and Rwanda and the DRC reportedly agreed to repatriate 10,000 refugees in the second half of 2026 in line with the Washington Peace Accords.[95]

Officials in Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s office are reportedly concerned about DRC state support to a former Rwandan diplomat who served under the regime of former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana. Sassou Nguesso arrived in Paris for a working visit at the invitation of French President Emmaneul Macron on September 8.[96] The French investigative outlet Africa Intelligence reported on September 10 that several security officials close to Sassou Nguesso raised concerns with French officials over alleged close ties between members of Tshisekedi’s inner circle and figures from the Rwandan opposition in exile and others linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.[97] Sassou Nguesso has good relations with both the DRC and Rwanda. The report said that Congolese officials’ concerns centered on Fabien Singaye, a former official under the Habyarimana regime and the son-in-law to Félicien Kabuga, who helped orchestrate and finance the genocide.[98] Africa Intelligence reported that Singaye is being “directly looked after” by Tshisekedi’s office, which has provided him a government-registered vehicle for his use in Kinshasa.[99]

Significant US-Backed Economic Activity

Nothing significant to report.