Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: April 1, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: The DRC and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels will engage in Qatar-mediated peace talks next week. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militias attacked M23 in several villages near the South Kivu provincial capital of Bukavu. M23 repelled a Wazalendo attack on Masisi’s district capital in southern North Kivu.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militias attacked M23 in several villages near the South Kivu provincial capital of Bukavu. Congolese media reported on April 1 that Wazalendo militias targeted several villages south of Bukavu on the RN5, including Nyangezi and Nyatende—located 15 miles and 6 miles from Bukavu, respectively.[1] Pro-Congolese government accounts claimed on social media on April 1 that Wazalendo fighters recaptured Nyangezi, which would sever M23’s lines of communication along the RN5 between Bukavu and Kamanyola—the southernmost town on the DRC-Rwanda border.[2] M23 had repelled several Wazalendo attacks and reinforced its positions in Nyangezi and Nyatende in late March.[3]

Wazalendo militias clashed with M23-aligned rebels in an area that straddles Fizi district and Mwenga district in central South Kivu. Independent Congolese journalist Byobe Malenga reported that Wazalendo clashed with M23-aligned militias in two villages near Minembwe town along the RP527—on April 1.[4] M23-aligned rebels have regularly clashed with Wazalendo fighters around Minembwe since late February, and Congolese media claimed in late March that M23 elements arrived in Minembwe town in Fizi district to join forces with M23-aligned groups.[5]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 repelled an attack by Wazalendo militias on Masisi’s district capital in southern North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that Wazalendo militia fighters attacked M23 positions in Masisi town before retreating west along the RP529 to Nyabiondo—located 12 miles from Masisi town—on April 1.[6] Wazalendo militias had launched an unsuccessful counteroffensive to recapture Masisi town in early March but have since regained large segments of the RP529 and severed M23’s lines of communication between Masisi town and Walikale town.[7]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

The DRC and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels will engage in formal, Qatari-mediated peace talks next week. Reuters reported on April 1 that Qatar will mediate peace talks between Congolese and M23 officials in Doha, Qatar’s capital, on April 9.[8] The outlet said that both sides confirmed their participation but “agreed not to publicly discuss the substances of the talks.”[9] M23 and DRC representatives have met separately with Qatari officials and negotiated directly on at least one occasion “at the preliminary stage” in Doha since late March.[10]