Congo War Security Review, November 3, 2025

Data Cutoff: November 3, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST 

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Key Takeaway: The Congolese government and M23 are reportedly nearing a peace agreement in Qatar-mediated talks. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 in M23-controlled areas of Rutshuru district in North Kivu. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several areas near the RP1030 in Masisi and Walikale districts in North Kivu. Wazalendo fighters repelled an M23 attack near the Masisi district capital in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas   

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 in M23-controlled areas of Rutshuru district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Kivu Morning Post reported that Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 positions in Mirangi village, nine miles north of Nyanzale town on the RP1030, in the northern part of the Bwito chiefdom in Rutshuru district on November 2.[i] M23 reportedly clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several villages in the Bukombo group in southwestern Bwito, including Kyahemba, on November 3.[ii] Kyahemba is about nine miles northwest of Kitchanga town near the RP1030. M23 had clashed with Wazalendo fighters and suspected Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) militants frequently in Bukombo in October.

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 

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several areas near the RP1030 in Masisi and Walikale districts in North Kivu. M23 reportedly repelled several Wazalendo attacks on Kalembe village, about 21 miles north of Kitchanga on the RP1030, on November 1.[iii] The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in a remote village near Mpeti on the RP1030 in the Kisimba group in Walikale district on November 2.[iv] Mpeti is about 12 miles east of Pinga on the RP1030. Kivu Morning Post reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Kateku—a remote village in Kisimba—on November 2.[v] CTP is unable to verify the location of Kateku. The Kisimba group is generally located about six miles northeast of Kalembe village on the RP1030 on local roads.

Wazalendo fighters repelled an M23 attack near the Masisi district capital in North Kivu. Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendo fighters repelled an M23 attack on the Buabo group, about nine miles southwest of Masisi, on October 31.[vi] M23 launched the attack on Buabo after it had taken control of a nearby village on October 30.[vii]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report. 

Major Political Developments 

The Congolese government and M23 are reportedly nearing a peace agreement in Qatar-mediated talks. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi announced on November 2 that negotiations will resume in Doha, the Qatari capital, this week.[viii] Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s Africa advisor, acknowledged recent ceasefire violations but said that the two sides have made “encouraging progress” in a statement on November 1.[ix] The French magazine Jeune Afrique had reported in late October that the two sides are negotiating a draft agreement in “heated discussions,” particularly around the return of state authority.[x] An insider source told Jeune Afrique that mediators are seeking to move toward a possible “compromise text” that would resemble a longer-term deal.[xi] The draft agreement reportedly contains a five-pillar peace framework with designated procedures for implementation and monitoring.[xii] Boulos has said previously that a sustainable DRC-M23 deal is the “last piece of the puzzle” to the US-led peace framework.[xiii] Tshisekedi said on November 2 that he and Rwandan President Paul Kagame will aim to ratify the US-backed peace agreement in a signing ceremony in Washington, DC after the Congolese government signs an agreement with M23.[xiv] The French investigative outlet Africa Intelligence had reported that the United States is aiming for the signing ceremony to take place on November 13.[xv] Boulos met separately with Tshisekedi and the Rwandan foreign minister to discuss progress on the US-backed peace agreement and advancing the Qatar-led track on November 2.[xvi]