Congo War Security Review, November 19, 2025

Data Cutoff: November 19, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST   

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Key Takeaway: M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in several areas in Walungu district in South Kivu. M23 captured several villages south of Masisi town in North Kivu. M23 reportedly clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Lubero district in North Kivu. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near the RN2 in Kabare district in South Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas     

Nothing significant to report.   

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia   

M23 reportedly clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in Lubero district in North Kivu. Independent Congolese journalist Daniel Michombero reported on social media that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in the Baswagha chiefdom in Lubero district on November 19.[i] CTP is unable to verify the precise location of the clashes. The Baswagha chiefdom comprises areas around Lubero town where the frontlines are between M23 and pro-Congolese government forces and the Ugandan army. The last reported clash in Baswagha was in late October when Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 positions.[ii]

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie 

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near the RN2 in Kabare district in South Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Radio Maendeleo reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendos in at least three villages, including Tshivanga— about five miles west of the Kavumu airport—on the edge of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park near the RN2 in Kabare on November 17.[iii] M23 had attacked Wazalendos in Kahuzi-Biega and reportedly killed a senior Wazalendo commander near Katana village on the RN2 on November 16.[iv]

Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly captured several villages from M23-aligned militia fighters in the Uvira highlands in South Kivu. Michombero reported on social media that pro-Congolese government forces captured three villages, including Kanono, from M23-aligned Twirwaneho fighters in the Bavira chiefdom in Uvira district on November 19.[v] Kanono is in an isolated area about 20 miles southwest of Uvira town. Twirwaneho fighters lasted clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Bavira on November 14.[vi]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani   

Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 positions on the RP1030 in Masisi district in North Kivu. Congolese media reported that Wazalendos attacked M23 near Kalembe village on the RP1030 in Masisi on November 18.[vii] Kalembe is about 21 miles north of Kitchanga on the RP1030. Wazalendo fighters have attacked M23 positions repeatedly in several areas along the RP1030 in mid-November.

M23 captured several villages south of Masisi town. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that M23 clashed with the Congolese army and Wazalendo fighters and captured two villages in the Osso Banyungu sector on November 18 and 19.[viii] CTP is unable to verify the precise location of the captured villages. The Osso Banyungu sector is roughly 15 miles south of Masisi town. M23 has clashed with pro-Congolese government forces in Osso Banyungu on several occasions in mid-November. The group had captured Kazinga village on November 14 and reportedly began advancing on several villages in Osso Banyungu.[ix]

M23 captured a village in southern Masisi district. M23 reportedly captured Katoyi village from Wazalendo fighters on November 18.[x] Katoyi is in a remote area about 22 miles southwest of Rubaya on local roads.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu   

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in several areas in Walungu district in South Kivu. Wazalendo fighters reportedly ambushed an M23 convoy in Mugogo village, eight miles southwest of Bukavu along the RN2, in Walungu on November 19.[xi] M23 reportedly clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Walungu town, six miles further southwest from Mugogo village along the RN2, on November 19.[xii] M23 reportedly clashed with Wazalendos six miles west of Walungu town on a local road in Kaniola village on November 19.[xiii] The Congolese media outlet Tazama RDC reported on social media that M23 attacked Wazalendo positions in a remote village in the Luhago group in the Nindja chiefdom in southern Kabare district on November 19.[xiv] The Luhago group is in a remote area roughly eight miles north of Nzibira in Walungu on a local road.

Major Political Developments   

Nothing significant to report.