Congo War Security Review

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

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Key Takeaway: Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 near the RN5 road on the border between the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi. President Trump’s Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, held a press conference to discuss his recent trip to the Great Lakes region. Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops made a formal request to Rwanda to withdraw SADC troops from Goma. Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 in a remote village in Walikale territory in western North Kivu.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 near the RN5 road on the border between the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi. The Congolese news outlet Kivu Morning Post reported on social media on April 17 that Wazalendo fighters clashed with M23 between Kamanyola and Ngumo village.[i] Kamanyola is the southernmost town along the DRC-Rwanda border and M23’s southernmost controlled town along the RN5.[ii] CTP is unable to verify the location of Ngumo. Wazalendo fighters last clashed with M23 in Kamanyola in late March.[iii]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 in a remote village in Walikale district in western North Kivu. The Congolese news outlet Radio Okapi reported that Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 in Buleusa—about 20 miles west of Kanyabayonga—on April 17.[iv] M23 last clashed with Wazalendo fighters near Buleusa in late February.[v]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

President Trump’s Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, held a press conference to discuss his recent trip to the Great Lakes region. Boulos reiterated the United States’ demands for M23 to “lay down their arms” and for Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the eastern DRC.[vi] Boulos said that the conflict “must be resolved peacefully” and “cannot be concluded with force.”[vii] Boulos confirmed previous reporting that US efforts in the region helped to secure an M23 withdrawal from the Walikale district capital in early April.[viii] Boulos said that M23 intended to march on Kisangani—the DRC’s fourth largest city and 265 miles west of its furthest advance—until the US pressured Rwanda and M23 to halt its offensive.[ix]

Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops made a formal request to Rwanda to withdraw SADC troops from Goma. Rwandan media reported on April 17 that SADC troops made the request to withdraw through Rwanda, and a correspondent for the South African news outlet Defence Web said on social media on April 17 that SADC troops began gathering their equipment for withdrawal.[x] Defence Web previously reported that SADC troops will repatriate to Tanzania via road through Rwanda.[xi] M23 and SADC troops had agreed on a phased withdrawal plan for SADC troops in late March, but the agreement collapsed after M23 accused SADC troops of participating in an attack on Goma on April 11 and April 12 and reneged on the deal.[xii]