Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: April 10, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: DRC and M23 engage in another session of Qatari-mediated negotiations. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militias recaptured up to a dozen villages in northern South Kivu. M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in villages to the north and south of Bukavu.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militias recaptured up to a dozen villages in northern Kalehe district in northern South Kivu. Congolese media reported that Wazalendo militias dislodged M23 rebels from rural villages roughly 22 miles west of Kalungu, the nearest major town on the RN2, on April 9, as part of Wazalendo attacks that have taken place since April 6.[1] The Congolese media outlet Tazama RDC reported on social media on April 10 that M23 forces still hold Numbi—a tin mining town about 9 miles east from the recaptured villages.[2] The Congolese news outlet Radio Okapi reported on April 10 “massive movements” of M23 troops who reinforced M23 positions in Kalehe district from the Kavumu airport, which is located about 85 miles south of the contested area.[3]

M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters in villages to the north and south of Bukavu. Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 near Kavumu in two villages at the entrance of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park—about 18 miles north of Bukavu at the intersection of the RN2 and RN3—on April 10.[4] Independent Congolese journalist Byobe Malenga said on social media that M23 also attacked Wazalendo positions in Nyangezi, about 15 miles south of Bukavu, on April 10.[5] M23 has clashed with Wazalendo in Nyangezi since mid-March, and Congolese journalists claimed on social media in early April that Wazalendo fighters recaptured Nyangezi.[6]

Wazalendo militias attacked M23-aligned rebels near Minembwe town in southern South Kivu. Independent Congolese journalist Byobe Malenga reported on social media that Wazalendo militias attacked M23-aligned Twirwaneho and RED Tabara rebels in three villages near Minembwe town on April 10.[7] Twirwaneho and RED Tabara have regularly clashed with Wazalendo militias near Minembwe since late February.[8] Both rebel groups are part of M23’s wider political coalition, Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), and the UN reported in December 2024 that the armed groups had ties to Rwanda and had become “AFC/M23 proxies” in South Kivu.[9]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Nothing significant to report.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

Representatives from the DRC and M23 began a second round of Qatari-mediated negotiations on April 9, after initial discussions in early April.[10] Negotiations remain in the very early stages, with both sides still unable to agree on “preconditions” and “frameworks” for talks to advance further.[11] M23’s reported preconditions include amnesty for senior M23 figures, a statement by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi that publicly endorses direct dialogue, the repeal of DRC legislation that legalized an alliance between the Congolese army and pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militias in late 2022, and a guarantee that the DRC delegation in Doha will have full decision-making power.[12] The DRC reportedly demanded that M23 relinquish political control of and withdraw from occupied areas—including Goma and Bukavu—and disarm and demobilize as preconditions.[13] Reuters had reported on April 9 that talks had been indefinitely postponed due to these disagreements. Reuteres has since clarified that there have been face-to-face meetings but a lack of progress past initial stages toward meaningful discussions for a ceasefire.[14]