Congo War Security Review, March 25, 2026

Data Cutoff: March 25, 2026, at 1 P.M. EST

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Read CTP’s assessment on the restart of the Washington Peace Accords in Deadlock in the DRC: Africa File Special Edition.

Read CTP’s latest analysis on the war in the eastern DRC in the weekly Africa File here.    

Key Takeaway: M23 withdrew from its forward positions in Lubero district in northern North Kivu. Pro-Congolese government forces repelled an M23 attack along the RP529 in Walikale district in North Kivu.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas    

Nothing significant to report.  

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia  

M23 withdrew from its forward positions in Lubero district in northern North Kivu. M23 reportedly withdrew its forces and military equipment unilaterally from at least a dozen positions near the front line in northern Lubero between March 23 and 24.[1] This included Kipese, which is about eight miles southeast of Lubero town on a local road. Security sources told the Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi on March 25 that M23 maintained its forward position in Katondi, roughly 10 miles south of Lubero town on the RN2, however.[2] M23 forces reportedly headed southward after withdrawing.[3] M23 had advanced to capture areas in northern Lubero in February and March 2025, before Ugandan army troops blocked further advances and established a de facto buffer zone.[4]

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Nothing significant to report.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani 

Pro-Congolese government forces repelled an M23 attack along the RP529 in Walikale district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendo fighters thwarted an M23 attempt to flank Congolese army and pro-Congolese government Wazalendo positions on the RP529 in Walikale district and attack Mungazi village on March 23.[5] Mungazi is about seven miles west of M23’s forward position on the RP529 in Kibati village and 21 miles west of Nyabiondo town in Masisi district.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu  

Nothing significant to report.  

Major Political Developments  

Nothing significant to report.  

Significant US-Backed Regional Economic Activity

Nothing significant to report.