Congo War Security Review, September 4, 2026

Data Cutoff: September 3, at 12 P.M. EST**

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Key Takeaway: Pro-Congolese government forces continued their offensive on M23-allied fighters in the South Kivu highlands. Fighting continued in southern Masisi district in North Kivu as M23 expanded its territorial control. Pro-Congolese government forces launched attacks on M23 on the front line on the RN2 in Mwenga district in South Kivu. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi traveled to Israel to strength and expand bilateral relations.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

Nothing significant to report.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Pro-Congolese government forces continued their offensive on M23-allied Twirwaneho fighters in the South Kivu highlands. CTP reported in late August that pro-Congolese government forces continued their offensive that they had launched on August 17 and conducted numerous attacks on M23-allied Twirwaneho fighter and possible Red–Tabara positions on several axes near Minembwe, including Point Zéro, which is an operationally significant hilltop about 15 miles east of Minembwe.[1] Clashes between the Congolese army (FARDC) and pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters and Twirwaneho-Red–Tabara fighters reportedly continued at Point Zéro on August 28, with both sides reportedly using drones.[2] Twirwaneho’s spokesperson, Fidèle Rugabo, claimed on social media on August 28 that pro-Congolese government forces coming from the Kabanja area—20 miles south of Minembwe—conducted attacks on Biziba village, which is about five miles south of Minembwe.[3] The M23-aligned investigative outlet Great Lakes Eye claimed in a report that an FARDC special force battalion moved toward Point Zéro on August 29.[4] Congolese government-aligned sources claimed on social media on August 29 that pro-Congolese government forces conducted attacks on rebel coalition positions south of Minembwe in Biziba, Gipimo, and Natulonge villages in the Basimunyaka-Sud group in the Lulenge sector.[5] Peter Bishenga, a Twirwaneho source and possible militant, claimed on social media on August 29 that fighters from the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR), Wazalendo fighters, and fighters from the P5 coalition destroyed a checkpoint on the Lulenge sector axis, likely south of Minembwe.[6] Lawrence Kanyuka, M23’s spokesperson, and a Twirwaneho source claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted ground attacks on Biziba and drone attacks on Point Zéro on August 29.[7] The two sides reportedly continued clashing at Point Zéro on August 29.[8] The Congolese-government aligned outlet Tazama RDC reported that rebel forces attacked FARDC and Wazalendo fighters in Mulima near Point Zéro on August 29.[9] Congolese government-aligned sources claimed that pro-Congolese government forces then captured four villages in the Basimunyaka-Sud group—Natulonge, Kamimbi, Nagishashu, and Irumba—as early as August 29 and advanced north toward Kabingo and Minembwe.[10] One M23-aligned source claimed on social media on August 29 that Twirwaneho captured Kiribandagobe village in the adjacent Ngandja sector and disputed on August 30 that pro-Congolese government forces had major significant gains in the ongoing fighting.[11] Bishenga claimed on social media that FDLR and Wazalendo fighters attacked Kipupu village, which is about 15 miles north of Mikenge on the RP527, on August 30.[12] Congolese government-aligned sources claimed on August 30 that pro-Congolese government forces then captured a Twirwaneho base at Tulunga village.[13] CTP is unable to verify the precise location of Tulunga. Twirwaneho sources claimed on social media on August 30 that Twirwaneho repelled pro-Congolese government attacks on Gipimo, likely south of Minembwe.[14] Clashes reportedly continued at Karongozi in Lulenge on August 31.[15] Kanyuka and M23-aligned sources claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted mortar attacks on Point Zéro and drone attacks on Nyaruhinga and Mukoko villages near Minembwe on August 31.[16] Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly conducted significant drone attacks on Point Zéro on August 31 that caused mass displacements.[17] The Congolese media outlet Radio Maendeleo cited local sources who said that pro-Congolese government forces bombed Twirwaneho positions at Point Zéro, Mukoko, and Nyaruhinga on August 31.[18] Radio Maendeleo reported and Rugabo claimed on social media on August 31 that Twirwaneho repelled several pro-Congolese government attacks on several axes around Minembwe.[19] The FARDC claimed on September 1 that it had recaptured numerous localities in the highlands and midlands and killed 23 rebels during operations against the rebel coalition.[20] Twirwaneho sources claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces attacked Kivumu village, which is west of Minembwe, on September 2, after fighting reportedly broke out in the area.[21] Rugabo and one M23-aligned source claimed on social media on September 2 that rebel forces had repelled the attacks on Kivumu and other attacks in Lulenge.[22] Kanyuka claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted ground attacks on Point Zéro on September 2.[23] The two sides then reportedly clashed near Agùlé village near Point Zéro on September 2 and 3.[24]

Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly recaptured several positions from Twirwaneho in the Uvira district midlands. The FARDC had reportedly reinforced its positions in the midlands after Twirwaneho had captured numerous villages in late August.[25] Great Lakes Eye claimed that the FARDC reinforced positions across Uvira district in the midlands on August 28 and 29.[26] Congolese government-aligned sources claimed on August 30 that pro-Congolese government forces captured Marimba from Twirwaneho.[27] Marimba is on the Bijombo group, roughly 17 miles southwest of Uvira town on a local road. One Twirwaneho source claimed on social media on August 31 that Twirwaneho repelled pro-Congolese government force attacks on Marimba.[28] Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly used drones and heavy weaponry to dislodge Twirwaneho fighters and recapture Malimba, Rubarati, Masango, Manguda, and Ruhuha on August 31, however.[29] Rubarati is roughly 13 miles west of Uvira town. The FARDC claimed that it killed 15 Twirwaneho fighters during the operation to retake these villages.[30]

Pro-Congolese government forces are allegedly receiving significant support from private military contractors (PMCs) and the Burundian army (FDNB) in the South Kivu highlands. Videos on social media posted by M23-aligned media sources on August 31 purportedly showed columns of FDNB reinforcements moving into the highlands and midlands of South Kivu in late August.[31] Great Lakes Eye claimed on September 1 that the number of PMCs deployed for the Minembwe offensive and linked to Erik Prince, an American citizen and PMC with ties to US President Donald Trump’s administration, increased from 10 to roughly 35 in late August.[32] The report said that the PMCs were operating in Lusuku and Abala villages south of Point Zéro alongside an FARDC special force battalion.[33] The report said that the PMCs are assisting DRC coalition forces with air defense support and drone operations.[34] One Congolese government-aligned source posted a photo on social media on September 3 purportedly showing two Prince-linked PMCs posing for a picture with pro-Congolese government forces in Fizi.[35]

Clashes broke out near the Kavumu airport in Kabare district north of Bukavu in South Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Radio Maendeleo reported that clashes took place in Kahungu, which is near Tshibati, and Mulangala villages near the edge of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park around September 1.[36] Tshibati and Mulangala are both about five miles northwest of the Kavumu airport on the RN2.

M23 reportedly continued to consolidate control over parts of Kalehe district in northern South Kivu. CTP reported on August 21 that M23 had launched a counteroffensive against pro-Congolese government forces in the Ziralo group in the Buhavu chiefdom and in the Buloho chiefdom in northern Kalehe near the border with North Kivu.[37] Radio Maendeleo reported on August 28 that clashes between Wazalendo and M23 fighters had taken place in Chibwisa, Kamatembe, and Kalao villages in the Mbinga-Sud and Mubugu groups in Buloho and Buhavu since August 22.[38] Kamatembe is roughly four miles southwest of Tushunguti, the Ziralo group capital, on local roads. Kanyuka claimed that pro-Congolese government forces conducted an attack on Kananu village in Kalehe on August 29.[39] CTP is unable to verify the precise location of Kananu. One Congolese government-aligned source said on social media on August 29 that the FARDC and Wazalendo fighters had attacked M23 in Kananu.[40] M23-aligned media sources claimed on social media on September 2 that the group dislodged pro-Congolese government forces from Tushunguti after three days of clashes.[41] M23-aligned sources claimed that the group had clashed with elements of the FARDC in the area who formed the special battalion that had deployed to North Kivu in March under the Washington Peace Accords.[42] The two sides then reportedly clashed in Chinono village on the border between the Ziralo and Mubuku groups in Buhavu on September 3.[43]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Fighting continued in southern Masisi district in North Kivu as M23 expanded its territorial control. CTP reported in late August that M23 continued to consolidate control over southern Masisi district following a pro-Congolese government offensive in mid-August.[44] Clashes reportedly broke out in Buruso in the Ufamandu first group and nearby Biriko village in the Waloa Loanda group in Walikale district on August 29, as M23 continued to expand its control in the area.[45] Biriko is near the triborder area between Masisi and Walikale in North Kivu and Kalehe district in South Kivu, roughly 10 miles southwest of Remeka village in Masisi on a local road. Tazama RDC claimed that M23 recaptured Mitimingi village in the Katoyi sector on August 29, reportedly bringing most of Katoyi—15 out of 19 village groups—under M23 control.[46] Mitimingi is in a remote area in Katoyi, about 26 miles southwest of the mining town of Rubaya on local roads. Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly shot down an M23 drone further north over Kasheke village in the Nyamaboko first group in the Osso Banyungu sector in Masisi on August 29.[47] Kasheke is about 20 miles west of Rubaya on local roads. Congolese government-aligned sources claimed on social media that Wazalendo fighters regained control of Busoro in Ufamandu after clashes with M23 on August 30.[48]

Fighting continued north of the RP1030 in Walikale district in North Kivu. CTP reported in late August that M23 had attacked and clashed with Wazalendo fighters in the Kisimba group, which is in a remote area about six miles north of Kalembe and 10 miles east of Pinga in Walikale.[49] The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that FARDC and Wazalendo fighters repelled M23 attacks on Ihula village, which is a few miles north of Kalembe on the RP1030 in Masisi, on August 27 and stopped M23 fighters from advancing toward Luola and then recapturing Minjenje and Mpeti villages on the RP1030.[50] Actualite.cd reported that FARDC-Wazalendo forces also repelled a separate M23 attempt to advance toward the Nkingwe bridge, which is close to the Minjenje bridge between Minjenje and Malemo on the RP1030, around August 27 and 28.[51] Actualite.cd cited local reports that claimed that M23 had captured high ground in areas near the RP1030, however.[52] Congolese government-aligned sources reported on August 30 that Willy Mishiki, a national deputy for Walikale and a staunch advocate of the Wazalendo, had been present on the front lines in Walikale for three days.[53] Kanyuka claimed on social media that Wazalendo fighters and elements of the FDLR conducted an attack on Kivuye village in Masisi on August 30.[54] Kivuye is about 13 miles southwest of Kashuga on the RP1030. Actualite.cd reported that FARDC and Wazalendo fighters then repelled an M23 attack coming from Rusmambu in the Ikobo group to the north on Chanjikiro and Ngambi villages in the Kisimba group on August 31.[55] Ngambi is in a remote area near the Oso river and the Kisimba-Ikobo Primate Reserve to the north. Actualite.cd reported that FARDC-Wazalendo fighters repelled another M23 attack on Nkingwe near Malemo on the RP1030 on September 1.[56] Congolese government-aligned media sources claimed on September 1 that Mishiki launched a new armed group in Walikale.[57] The Wazalendo’s national coordination body in Kinshasa had disavowed Mishiki in mid-March 2026.[58] Actualite.cd reported on September 2 that local populations in Minjenje, Mpeti and Mera in Kisimba had fled their villages since August 30 due to the significant fighting between the two sides and M23 artillery attacks on FARDC and Wazalendo positions in the area.[59] Actualite.cd reported separately that FARDC-Wazalendo fighters and M23 then clashed in Malemo and two other nearby villages on September 2 and 3 as part of an FARDC-Wazalendo counteroffensive.[60]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Pro-Congolese government forces launched attacks on M23 on the front line on the RN2 in Mwenga district in South Kivu. FARDC, Wazalendo, and FDNB troops reportedly attacked M23 Kasika, Kaulile, and Kidasa villages in the Luindi chiefdom using heavy artillery on August 31.[61] The Luindi chiefdom is on the northern end of the Itombwe Mountains and borders the RN5 highway to the east in northern Mwenga. Kasika, which is the seat of Luindi that M23 had captured in late November 2025, is about 14 miles north of the government-controlled town of Mwenga on the RN2. Fighting reportedly continued in Luindi, including in Ngenga—about a mile toward Mwenga town from Kidasa—on September 1, as Congolese government-aligned and M23-aligned sources offered differing accounts of the control of terrain.[62]

Clashes reportedly continued in areas around the Walungu district capital in South Kivu. CTP reported in late August that Wazalendo fighters continued their offensive against M23 in the Walungu highlands.[63] M23 reportedly reasserted control over Nzibira and Luntukulu, however, and advanced as far as Chulwe and Lubimbe on the RP503 after repelling Wazalendo attacks in areas around Luntukulu and Nzibira on August 27.[64] Chulwe is about 12 miles west of Nzibira on the RP503. Lubimbe is the last village on the RP503 in Walungu before Shabunda district to the west. Radio Maendeleo reported on August 29 that M23 reinforced its positions in areas around Luntukulu, Chulwe, and Lubimbe, as fighting reportedly continued.[65] One M23-aligned source claimed on social media on August 31 that FARDC and Wazalendo troops clashed in Lubimbe.[66] Congolese government-aligned sources claimed on social media on September 1 that pro-Congolese government forces were holding their positions near Nzibira.[67]

Major Political Developments

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi traveled to Israel to strength and expand bilateral relations. Tshisekedi made a three-day working visit to Israel at the invitation of Israeli President Isaac Herzog between August 31 and September 2.[68] This is Tshisekedi’s second visit to Israel as president since October 2021. Herzog had visited Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, in November 2025. Tshisekedi’s office said on August 31 that the discussions would focus on “security, defense, agriculture, infrastructure, energy and advanced technology.”[69] Thérèse Wagner, the Congolese foreign minister, arrived in Tel Aviv on September 1.[70] Wagner had signed two memoranda of understanding on diplomatic cooperation with the Israeli foreign minister during an official visit to Jerusalem in late July.[71] Wagner met with the Israeli foreign minister on September 1.[72] Tshisekedi met with Herzog and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, in Jerusalem on September 1.[73] Netanyahu’s office said on social media that Tshisekedi and Netanyahu agreed to strengthen bilateral security and economic ties.[74] Tshisekedi said that he also discussed the security and humanitarian situation in the eastern DRC during his visit.[75] Congolese and Israeli delegations then convened for an expanded meeting to discuss areas of mutual interest and cooperation.[76] Wagner met with the speaker of Israel’s parliament on September 2.[77] The Congolese government said on September 3 that it would move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, joining a small group of countries, including the United States.[78] Israel also said that it would open an embassy in Kinshasa.[79]

The head of the UN’s mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and the UN’s Great Lakes envoy concluded a regional visit to Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda. MONUSCO head James Swan and UN envoy Huang Xia conducted the roughly weeklong tour between late August and early September.[80] CTP reported previously that Swan and Xia met with Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye in Burundi on August 26.[81] Swan and Xia met with several senior Rwandan officials, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, on September 1.[82] MONUSCO said that Swan briefed officials at each stop on MONUSCO’s efforts to support regional peace processes, including through its technical and logistical support to the ceasefire mechanism led by the International Conference on the Great Lakes region under the Doha process, and MONUSCO’s support for the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of FDLR fighters under the Washington Peace Accords.[83]

Tanzania arrested and extradited a pro-M23 social media influencer to Kinshasa. Tshisekedi had traveled to Zanzibar to meet with Tanzanian President Samia Hassan and strengthen security and economic cooperation on August 17 and 18.[84] Tanzanian authorities arrested Denise Dusauchoy in western Tanzania on August 30 pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by the Congolese justice ministry.[85] Dusauchoy is a Congolese journalist and influencer who was formerly pro-government but later became publicly aligned with and supportive of M23. The Congolese justice ministry announced her arrest in a statement on August 31 and said that the arrest occurred due to close cooperation between the DRC and Tanzania and as part of international justice efforts.[86] Authorities then reportedly extradited her overnight to Kinshasa aboard a private aircraft on August 31.[87] M23-aligned journalist Steve Wembi reported on August 31 that Desiré-Cashmir Eberande Kolongele, Tshisekedi’s national security adviser, was on board the plane that transferred Dusauchoy to Kinshasa.[88] Patrick Muyaya, the Congolese communications minister, said on September 1 that Dusauchoy’s arrest would be the “first in a long list.”[89] French state media cited a government source on September 1 who said that Congolese authorities have issued arrest warrants for other figures close to M23 that are not yet public.[90] Dusauchoy appeared before the public prosecutor in Kinshasa on September 2.[91]

M23 launched parallel banking initiatives in Rutshuru and Masisi districts in North Kivu. M23 formally launched new local branches or “one-stop service centers” for the Caisse générale d’epargne du Congo (CADECO), a public financial institution that the group had reopened in early April 2025, in Kiwanja town in Rutshuru and Minova town in Masisi on August 31.[92] The group has taken steps to set up alternative banking and payment systems since its early 2025 offensive. The Central Bank of Congo had severed all ties with local banks and microfinance institutions in M23-controlled areas in early 2025, which has severely disrupted economic activity. M23 has faced challenges in implementing its broader economic agenda despite relaunching CADECO, largely due to measures taken by the Central Bank of Congo and M23’s status as an armed rebellion and internationally sanctioned nonstate entity.[93]

M23 established two new parallel governance structures. M23 released a statement on August 28 that said it would establish a quartermaster bureau under M23’s political branch, given the need to “remedy the absence of an organizational framework for the day-to-day management of logistical matters” within M23.[94] The statement said that the new service would be responsible for managing M23’s property and equipment.[95] M23 then released a separate statement on August 28 that said it would establish a special bureau for working with humanitarian organizations and managing social and educational projects in M23-controlled areas.[96]

Significant US-Backed Economic Activity

Nothing significant to report.