Congo War Security Review

* CTP will be pausing the Congo War Security Review from November 24 to November 28. The next update will publish as usual on December 1. *

Data Cutoff: November 21, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST   

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Read CTP’s full analysis on the DRC-M23 peace framework in DRC-M23 Doha Peace Framework—A Long Road Ahead: Africa File Special Edition.

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

Key Takeaway: Members of the US-backed Joint Security Coordination Mechanism convened for the fourth meeting. M23 attacked pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in western Masisi district and captured a village in adjacent Walikale district in North Kivu. The Congolese army bombed an M23-controlled gold mine in southern Walungu district in South Kivu. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters near Walungu town.

Kinetic Activity in M23-Controlled Areas     

Nothing significant to report.   

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.   

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie 

The Congolese army (FARDC) bombed an M23-aligned militia position in the South Kivu highlands. An FARDC fighter jet reportedly conducted two bombing runs on an M23-aligned Twirwaneho position in Mikenge village on the RP527 on November 21.[i] Mikenge is about 15 miles north of Minembwe town in Fizi district on the RP527. Pro-Congolese government forces had previously conducted drone strikes on Twirwaneho positions in Mikenge and another nearby village on November 15 and 17.[ii]

Twirwaneho fighters attacked pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters in the South Kivu highlands. Twirwaneho fighters reportedly attacked Wazalendos in three villages south of Minembwe, including Kinyokwe, on November 21.[iii] Kinyokwe is roughly 22 miles southwest of Minembwe in Fizi.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 attacked Wazalendo fighters in western Masisi district in North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that M23 attacked Wazalendo fighters in two villages near the RP529, including Mahanga, in the Osso Banyungu sector on November 21.[iv] Mahanga is about 10 miles southwest of Nyabiondo on the RP529. The outlet reported that M23 reinforced its position with more fighters and ammunition on November 19, a day after it attacked Wazalendos and Congolese army elements and captured two villages in Osso Banyungu.[v] M23 has used its position in Kazinga village to conduct a westward offensive in Osso Banyungu since it captured the village on November 14. French state media cited local sources on November 20 who said that M23 may be seeking to capture a major Congolese army base 20 miles away.[vi]

M23 captured a village in adjacent Walikale district in North Kivu. Actualite.cd reported that M23 fighters from Kibati village on the RP529 captured Kaliki village in the Waloa Yungu group in eastern Walikale on November 21.[vii] CTP is unable to verify the location of Kaliki. The Waloa Yungu group is near the border between Masisi and Walikale, its eastern edge touching the Osso Banyungu sector in Masisi.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu   

The FARDC bombed an M23-controlled gold mine in southern Walungu district in South Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Tazama RDC reported on social media that an FARDC attack drone conducted an airstrike on Karhembu, an M23-controlled gold mine located near Tubimbi village on the RN2 in Walungu, on November 20.[viii] Tubimbi is about 16 miles south of Walungu town on the RN2. The Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi reported on November 21 that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters around Karhembu on November 21.[ix]

M23 clashed with Wazalendos near Walungu town. Radio Okapi reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in a village about one mile from Walungu town on November 21.[x] Clashes between the two sides had taken place in several areas around the town and near the RN2 on November 19.[xi]

Unconfirmed reports claimed that M23 advanced on the Shabunda and Mwenga district fronts in South Kivu. A pro-M23 source claimed on social media that M23 captured Nyalubemba and Kimbili villages on the RP503 in Shabunda on November 20.[xii] Nyalubemba and Kimbili are about five and 10 miles west of Mayimingi village on the RP503, respectively. M23 had taken control of Mayimingi in its first confirmed capture in Shabunda on November 16.[xiii] A pro-M23 claimed on social media that M23 captured Kilungutwe village on the Mwenga front on the RN2 on November 20.[xiv] CTP is unable to verify these reports. M23 had clashed with Wazalendo fighters in the nearby Ntondo group in northern Mwenga from November 12 to 14.[xv]

Major Political Developments

Members of the US-backed Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) convened for the fourth meeting. The DRC and Rwanda, along with Qatar, Togo as the African Union representative, and the United States, held the fourth JSCM meeting in Washington, DC, on November 19 and 20.[xvi] The readout said that the DRC and Rwanda reviewed progress on the preparatory phases of the dual-sided military plan for the FARDC to neutralize the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) and see Rwanda withdraw its troops and military equipment from the eastern DRC.[xvii] The mechanism members discussed “ongoing challenges” and opportunities to advance a campaign to spread awareness and demobilize FDLR members ahead of military operations as part of the preparatory phase.[xviii] The Congolese government initiated the campaign in early October, but the FDLR has reportedly refused to disarm and surrender.[xix] The JSCM members then began discussions on the next step of the dual-sided plan, which is to implement it on the ground.[xx] The members also discussed the broader peace process, commending Togo for its plan to host peace talks to “further foster trust and advance the peace process” in January next year.[xxi]

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

To receive the Africa File and Congo War Security Review via email, please subscribe here.   

Follow CTP on X, LinkedIn, and BlueSky for daily updates.   

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

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.

Data Cutoff: November 17, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST  

To receive the Africa File and Congo War Security Review via email, please subscribe here.

Follow CTP on X, LinkedIn, and BlueSky for daily updates.  

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

Key Takeaway: The Congolese government and M23 signed the Qatari-brokered peace framework agreement. M23 captured its first village in Shabunda district on the RP503 in South Kivu. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters conducted attacks on M23 on the RP1030 in Masisi district in North Kivu. M23 attacked 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  

Nothing significant to report.  

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 attacked pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters near the RN2 in Kabare district in South Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi reported that M23 targeted a Wazalendo position in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park near the RN2 in Kabare around November 16.[i] M23 reportedly killed a senior Wazalendo commander near Katana village on the RN2 on November 16.[ii] M23 had previously attacked Wazalendo fighters in several villages on the edge of the Kahuzi-Biega on November 13.[iii]

Pro-Congolese government forces bombed M23-aligned militia positions on the RP527 in South Kivu. Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly conducted drone strikes on M23-aligned Twirwaneho positions near two villages on the RP527, including Mikenge—about 15 miles north of Minembwe town—on November 15 and 17.[iv] Independent journalist Steve Wembi reported on social media on November 15 that the drone that launched an attack deployed from Burundi.[v] Local sources said that the strikes damaged private property but did not result in any casualties.[vi]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Wazalendo fighters blocked an M23 advance southwest of Masisi town in North Kivu. M23 reportedly advanced from Kazinga, which it had captured on November 14, and clashed with Wazalendos in several nearby villages on November 15.[vii] CTP is unable to locate the villages. The Congolese media outlet Acualite.cd reported that Wazalendo fighters then repelled an M23 attack on Bitoi village, about five miles northwest of Kazinga on a local road, on November 16.[viii]

Wazalendo fighters conducted attacks on M23 on the RP1030 in Masisi district. Congolese media sources reported that M23 repelled a Wazalendo attack in Kashuga village on the RP1030 in Masisi on November 14.[ix] Kashuga is about six miles north of Mweso on the RP1030. Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendos then launched attacks on M23 on November 15 and dislodged the rebel group from two villages near Kashuga, including Kashanje, on November 16.[x]

Wazalendos attacked M23 in a remote area north of the RP1030 in Walikale district in North Kivu. Wazalendo fighters reportedly attacked M23 in Bukumbirwa village in the Ikobo group in the Kisimba-Ikobo Primate Reserve in Walikale on November 15.[xi]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu  

M23 captured its first village in Shabunda district on the RP503 in South Kivu. M23 reportedly attacked Wazalendo positions and captured Mayimingi village on the RP503 in Shabunda on November 16, marking the group’s first confirmed capture in Shabunda.[xii] Mayimingi is about 20 miles west of Nzibira on the RP503. Radio Okapi reported that the attack on Mayimingi caused thousands of civilians to flee the area.[xiii] Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly retreated about ten miles west of Mayimingi on the RP503 to Kimbili.[xiv] The Congolese media outlet Tazama RDC reported on social media that clashes resumed between M23 and Wazalendo fighters around Mayimingi on November 17.[xv] Tazama RDC reported separately that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Chulwe, about 12 miles west of Nzibira, on November 17.[xvi] The outlet cited local sources who claimed that Wazalendo fighters killed an M23 commander and more than 50 rebel fighters in Chulwe.[xvii]

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in northern Mwenga district in South Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Radio Maendeleo reported that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in two village groups in the Burhinyi chiefdom, including the Ntondo group, from November 12 to 14.[xviii] The Ntondo group is in a remote area roughly 20 miles west of the Twangiza industrial gold mine on a local road. M23 last clashed with Wazalendo fighters in Burhinyi in late October.[xix]

Major Political Developments

The Congolese government and M23 signed the Qatari-brokered peace framework agreement. Representatives from the Congolese government and M23 signed the framework agreement in Doha, the Qatari capital, on November 15.[xx] The Congolese and Rwandan governments welcomed the signing in separate statements.[xxi] Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s Africa adviser, and the Qatari mediation team characterized the framework as an important step to peace efforts.[xxii] Several senior European officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron, also welcomed the signing on social media.[xxiii]

The agreement contains a commitment to end the war in the eastern DRC through several guiding principles and eight separate negotiating tracks or pillars to address key issues. Two of the eight pillars have already been signed—the ceasefire verification mechanism from October 14 and the prisoner exchange agreement from September 14. The framework outlines six additional pillars that the two sides will negotiate: humanitarian access and judicial protection; the return of state authority, governance reforms, and public administration; security; identity and citizenship; economic recovery and social services; and a justice, truth, and reconciliation commission.[xxiv] The two sides will negotiate each of the pillars one after the other and debate the content, timelines, stages, procedures, and measures for implementation and monitoring in future discussions.[xxv] The resolution of all six additional pillars will represent a comprehensive peace deal, referred to as the Global Peace Agreement.[xxvi] The framework agreement committed the two sides to start negotiating the pillars no later than two weeks from November 15.[xxvii]