Congo War Security Review, June 23, 2025

Data Cutoff: June 23, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in Walungu district in South Kivu nearly every day the past week. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi met with Congolese religious leaders to discuss a national dialogue. Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 near the RP529 in Masisi district in North Kivu.

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

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 near the RP529 in Masisi district in North Kivu. The Congolese news outlet Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendos attacked M23 in Kasopo on June 21.[i] Kasopo is roughly 6 miles west of Nyabiondo on the RP529 in Masisi.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Walungu district in South Kivu nearly every day the past week. Congolese media reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendos in several villages in Walungu district—including in Burhale and Bwahungu, about 32 miles southwest of Bukavu on the RN2—using light and heavy weaponry from June 20 to June 23.[ii] The two groups are reportedly fighting over an important mining site in Walungu.[iii] Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 in several villages near Burhale on June 17 and June 18.[iv]

Major Political Developments

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi met with a coalition of Congolese religious leaders to discuss a national dialogue. Tshisekedi met with the leaders on June 21 in Kinshasa, the DRC’s capital, and committed to establish a working team to explore the initiative.[v] Tshisekedi reportedly demanded that the initiative exclude former DRC President Joseph Kabila, Congolese opposition politician and Kabila ally, Moïse Katumbi, and Corneille Nangaa, head of M23’s political branch.[vi] Tshisekedi reportedly called his three opponents “Swahili-speaking traitors.”[vii] Tshisekedi reportedly demanded that opposition politicians who engage in the dialogue must be part of Martin Fayulu’s “homeland camp” and must denounce Kabila’s presence in M23-controlled Goma.[viii]