Congo War Security Review, June 11, 2025

Data Cutoff: June 11, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: Reuters confirmed previous reporting that Rwanda is required to withdraw from the eastern DRC as part of a US-led peace deal with the DRC. Reuters reported that the US-led agreement calls for close cooperation between the DRC and Rwanda to address each side’s security concerns. M23 appointed a new governor and vice-governor for South Kivu province.

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

Reuters confirmed previous reporting that Rwanda is required to withdraw from the eastern DRC as part of a US-led peace deal with the DRC. Reuters reported on June 11 that the latest draft agreement stipulates that Rwanda must withdraw its estimated 5,000 troops and materiel from the eastern DRC before the DRC and Rwanda sign the final agreement.[i] Reuters cited sources close to the talks who claimed that Rwanda has still not provided input to the second draft of the US-led agreement, which has reportedly circulated between the three parties since last week.[ii] Reuters cited a top official close to DRC President Félix Tshisekedi who accused Rwanda of “dragging their feet” and stalling the draft agreement.[iii] Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe responded to the leaked agreement on social media on June 11 and said that “maliciously leaking unilateral proposals and evolving working documents” to press agencies could “jeopardize the success” of the US-led peace talks.[iv]

Reuters reported that the US-led agreement calls for close cooperation between the DRC and Rwanda to address each side’s security concerns.[v] Reuters reported that the draft agreement requires Rwanda to align its efforts with Qatari-mediated peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels and “take all possible measures” to facilitate M23’s withdrawal from areas that it controls.[vi] Reuters reported that the latest draft agreement calls for a “Joint Security Coordination Mechanism” that would allow Rwandan forces and “foreign military observer personnel” to tackle primary issues, such as DRC-based ethnic Hutu armed groups opposed to the Rwandan government.[vii] Reuters reported that the draft agreement requires the DRC government to allow M23 to take part in an inter-Congolese dialogue “on equal footing with other DRC non-stated armed groups.”[viii]

M23 appointed a new governor and vice-governor for South Kivu province. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka released a communiqué on social media that named Patrick Nshombo as governor on June 11.[ix] M23 removed the previous governor, Manu Birato, on June 6, after a top M23 official in South Kivu reportedly accused Birato of embezzlement from an M23-run electricity company in South Kivu.[x] Kanyuka released a separate communiqué on social media on June 11 that named Gadi Mukiza, the former mayor of Minembwe town in Mwenga district in southern South Kivu, as vice-governor in charge of finances.[xi]