Congo War Security Review, September 22, 2025

Data Cutoff: September 22, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: M23 captured a key town near the Walungu district capital in South Kivu. The Congolese army (FARDC) and pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 and repelled M23 attempts to recapture a village on the RP1030 in northern Masisi district in North Kivu. The FARDC accused M23 of violating the ceasefire repeatedly and killing civilians in several attacks in Walikale district in North Kivu. The FARDC continued airstrikes on M23 positions in north-central Masisi.

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

The Congolese army (FARDC) and pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 and repelled M23 attempts to recapture a village on the RP1030 in northern Masisi district in North Kivu. Congolese media reported that fighting resumed in Katobi—nine miles east of Pinga on the RP1030—when Wazalendo fighters repelled M23 attempts to retake the village on September 20 and September 21, pushing M23 back one mile on the RP1030 to Mpeti in the Kisimba group in Walikale district.[i] The FARDC reportedly shelled M23 positions near Mpeti and used aerial assets to bomb M23 positions in Katobi and Mpeti to thwart M23’s recapture of Katobi on September 20 and September 21.[ii] Congolese media reported that the two sides also clashed in and around Mpeti, including in Malemo and Minjenje villages, on September 22, though it remains unclear which side attacked first.[iii] M23 launched the attacks in Katobi after it reportedly had reinforced its position in Mpeti from its supply points in Kalembe and Kitchanga and asked locals to leave Mpeti and nearby villages on September 20 ahead of new operations.[iv]

The FARDC accused M23 of violating the ceasefire repeatedly and killing civilians in several attacks in Walikale district. An FARDC spokesperson accused M23 of violating the Qatari-brokered ceasefire and conducting attacks in two remote villages in the Kisimba group in Walikale on September 19, among others across North and South Kivu.[v] CTP is unable to verify the precise location of the villages in Kisimba. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd cited “military sources” in Pinga who claimed that nearly 40 civilians were killed in Kisimba in bombings carried out by M23 on September 19.[vi] The outlet reported separately that M23 arrested more than 40 civilians in Kisimba, including in Buhimba village, during a cordon operation on September 20.[vii]

M23 reportedly reinforced its positions north of the RP1030 in the Ikobo group in Walikale. Congolese media reported that M23 reinforced its position in at least three villages in the Ikobo group from Rutshuru and Lubero districts in North Kivu on September 21 and September 22.[viii] The Ikobo group is roughly 10 miles north of Pinga through a forested route.

The FARDC continued airstrikes on M23 positions in north-central Masisi. The Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi reported that the FARDC conducted the strikes on M23 in several villages in the Bashali chiefdom, including Bibwe, Nyenge, and Hembe, on September 21.[ix] The FARDC had conducted an initial bombing run on M23 positions in Bashali on September 19.[x]

 

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

M23 captured a key town near the Walungu district capital in South Kivu. Congolese media reported that M23 captured Nzibira town after clashing with the FARDC and Wazalendo fighters in Nzibira and several nearby villages on September 21.[xi] Nzibira is about 20 miles southwest of Walungu town on a local road. Radio Okapi reported that M23 shelled Nzibira and used armored vehicles in ground attacks before capturing the town and dislodging Wazalendo fighters who undertook a “strategic withdrawal.”[xii] Nzibira is a key commercial and logistics hub that connects Bukavu to Mwenga and Shabunda districts in South Kivu.[xiii] M23 had launched an offensive near Walungu town in early August and captured several villages before advancing southward and westward toward Nzibira on two axes despite resistance from pro-Congolese government forces in late August and early September.[xiv]

Major Political Developments

Nothing significant to report.