Congo War Security Review, September 24, 2025

Data Cutoff: September 24, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: Delegations from the Congolese government and M23 reportedly left Doha, the Qatari capital, without a breakthrough after a fifth round of talks last week. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi blamed Rwanda for the slow progress in implementing the US-backed peace agreement. Corneille Nangaa, M23’s political chief, rejected the US-backed process and restated M23’s ambitions to topple the Congolese government. M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in north-central Masisi district in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 clashed with pro-Congolese Wazalendo fighters on the outskirts of Bukavu. The Congolese media outlet Radio Maendeleo reported that M23 attacked Wazalendo fighters in Chituzo village in the Mudaka group, about 12 miles north of Bukavu center in Kabare district on the RN2, on September 23.[i] M23 last clashed with Wazalendos in Mudaka in mid-July.[ii]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in north-central Masisi district in North Kivu. Congolese media reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendos in Nyabikeri village, which is in the Lukweti locality, in the Bashali chiefdom on September 23.[iii] Lukweti is 11 miles north of Nyabiondo on a local road. M23 has clashed regularly with Wazalendo fighters in Bashali since early September when M23 launched an offensive in the area.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

Delegations from the Congolese government and M23 reportedly left Doha, the Qatari capital, without a breakthrough after a fifth round of talks last week. French media reported that the delegations left Doha on the weekend of September 20 to September 21 without making concrete progress on substantive issues after two weeks of talks.[iv] A Qatari official told the French state media outlet Radio France Internationale (RFI) on September 22 that Qatar would convene another round of in-person talks in two weeks after the UN General Assembly concludes.[v]

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi blamed Rwanda for the slow progress in implementing the US-backed peace agreement. Tshisekedi called for the full implementation of the US-backed peace agreement during a speech at the UN General Assembly and accused Rwanda of delaying the agreement’s implementation on the sidelines of the assembly.[vi] Tshisekedi claimed that Rwanda has “pretended” to withdraw its troops from the eastern DRC but has instead increased its military support to M23.[vii] Tshisekedi said that the withdrawal of Rwandan troops, the end of Rwanda’s support to M23, and the return of Congolese government authority to M23-controlled areas are “non-negotiable conditions” for the DRC.[viii] French media reported that Tshisekedi likely expects increased US pressure on Rwanda and M23 and strengthened bilateral security cooperation with the US in relation to discussions over a bilateral economic deal.[ix]

Tshisekedi held a series of meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Tshisekedi met with Massad Boulos, US Donald Trump’s Africa advisor, to discuss security issues and the economic agreement on September 23.[x] RFI reported that Tshisekedi expressed to Boulos that the DRC remains committed to the US-led process.[xi] Tshisekedi also reportedly met with members of the US Congress and the UN Secretary-General.[xii] RFI reported that Tshisekedi plans to participate in a “high-level” meeting in Washington, DC, intended to facilitate progress in the peace framework scheduled for mid-October.[xiii]

Corneille Nangaa, M23’s political chief, rejected the US-backed process and restated M23’s ambitions to topple the Congolese government. Nangaa said that M23’s objective remains to march on Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, to overthrow Tshisekedi in an interview with CNN on September 22.[xiv] Nangaa called Tshisekedi “illegitimate” and a “crook” and said that M23 does not recognize the US-backed peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda.[xv] Nangaa said that the Congolese government does not control significant mining sites related to the US-backed deal, presumably referring to areas under M23 control.[xvi] Nangaa denied recent human rights reports accusing the group of perpetrating abuses against civilians and claimed that that the Congolese government sponsored the reports.[xvii] The rebel leader denied that M23 receives military support from Rwanda and said that it maintains its own fighting force.[xviii]

The UN repatriated over 400 Rwandan refugees to Rwanda from the eastern DRC as part of the US-backed peace accord. The UN collaborated with M23 to repatriate between 314 to 440 Rwandan refugees to Rwanda from Goma via the Grande Barrière border post on September 24.[xix] The DRC, Rwanda, and the UN had committed to find solutions to the refugee crisis and expedite refugee repatriations in late July as part of the US-backed peace accord.

France plans to host a humanitarian conference on the conflict in the DRC in October. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on September 24 that France will host an emergency humanitarian conference on the security crisis in the eastern DRC in Paris next month.[xx] France initially planned the conference for July 2025 but had postponed it several times.[xxi]