Congo War Security Review, August 1, 2025

Data Cutoff: August 1, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: The DRC and Rwanda held the first Joint Oversight Committee meeting as part of the US-brokered peace agreement from late June. M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in southern Masisi district in North Kivu. The East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) held a joint summit to merge the Nairobi and Luanda peace frameworks.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Nothing significant to report.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in several villages in southern Masisi district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo militia groups in several villages in the Ufamandu group in the Bahunde sector, including near Remeka, and and in the Katoyi sector in southern Masisi on July 30 and July 31.[i] Remeka is about 20 miles southwest of Rubaya by local road. Radio Okapi reported that the clashes are part of M23’s operations against suspected Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) fighters and allied Wazalendo fighters.[ii] M23 has clashed regularly with pro-Congolese government fighters in several areas in southern Masisi district since July 21.[iii]

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in a remote area in Walikale district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendos in two villages in the Banamulema locality in Kisimba group in Walikale on July 31.[iv]  CTP is unable to verify the precise location of Banamulema. Kisimba group is located in a remote area roughly 10 miles northwest of Pinga, a military and logistics hub on the RP1030 in Masisi district. Congolese media reported previously that M23 has been reinforcing its positions in this area and the nearby Ikobo group in Walikale since July 29.[v]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

The DRC and Rwanda held the first Joint Oversight Committee meeting as part of the US-brokered peace agreement. Representatives from the DRC and Rwanda, along with the African Union, Qatar, and the United States, participated in the meeting in Washington, DC, on July 31.[vi] The joint statement said that the committee selected their representatives for future meetings, reviewed progress on the peace agreement’s implementation, and set the table for the first meeting of the Joint Security Mechanism.[vii] Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s senior Africa advisor, told Reuters on July 30 that the first meeting for the security mechanism will be announced soon.[viii] French state media reported previously that the first meeting for the security mechanism could take place next week.[ix]

The East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) held a joint summit to merge the Nairobi and Luanda peace frameworks. Kenyan President William Ruto and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa chaired the meeting in Nairobi, Kenya to discuss the security crisis in the eastern DRC on August 1.[x] The joint summit also included the panel of five facilitators that the blocs appointed in March.[xi] The leaders agreed to merge the EAC-backed Nairobi process and the SADC-backed Luanda process with oversight from the EAC-SADC and the African Union.[xii]