Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: February 24, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: The Congolese army (FARDC) blocked M23 attempts to flank FARDC positions in Lubero town, a district capital in northern North Kivu. M23-aligned rebels seized a commune center in South Kivu. Locals say that M23 is only “a day’s march” from Pinga, a key military hub and gateway town to western North Kivu. The UN and EU increased diplomatic and economic pressure on Rwanda to cut its support for M23 as DRC President Félix Tshisekedi courted further Western assistance with mineral access offers to the United States and the EU.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

The Congolese army (FARDC) and allied militias blocked M23’s attempts to flank FARDC positions on the RN2 road and in Lubero town on February 23.[1] Local media reported that FARDC-aligned forces deployed in Masereka town blocked M23’s advance at Kasinjwe, about 9 miles north of Kipese, and also held the front lines on the RN2 toward Lubero town.[2]

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

The M23-aligned Twirwaneho rebel group captured Minembwe town and its nearby airstrip after fighting with FARDC and Wazalendo on February 21.[3] Researchers in the area reported that the Burundian National Defense Forces stationed in the commune withdrew from the area in the face of Twirwaneho’s advance.[4] Twirwaneho is part of M23’s wider political coalition, Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), and the UN reported in December 2024 that Twirwaneho and the Burundian rebel Group RED Tabara had become “AFC/M23 proxies” in South Kivu.[5] Twirwaneho claims it is a self-defense group for Banyamulenge ethnic minorities in South Kivu. FARDC killed Twirwaneho’s leader in a drone strike on February 19, and the group had escalated attacks around Minembwe since January 2025.[6]

Locals in Uvira reported that armed groups have continued attacking civilians and looting local businesses since FARDC first clashed with allied militias on February 18.[7] Congolese media reported that FARDC “is divided and shooting at each other” in Uvira while local administrative authorities continue to flee.[8]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Congolese media said locals fear M23 is only “a day’s march” from its position in Rusamambu to Pinga, a key military hub and gateway town to western North Kivu.[9] Congolese media also said M23’s control of major roads in Masisi district has limited the flow of medical supplies to Pinga.[10]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

The UN and EU increased diplomatic and economic pressure on Rwanda to cut its support for M23. The UN Security Council adopted a unanimous resolution on February 21 that condemned M23’s recent gains in the eastern DRC and called on Rwanda to immediately cut its support for the rebel group.[11] The European Union (EU) suspended defense talks with Rwanda on February 24 and said that it would review the bloc’s minerals agreement with Rwanda.[12]

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi courted further Western assistance with mineral access offers to the United States and the EU. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi offered the United States and EU “a stake in his country’s vast mineral wealth” and said the Trump administration could benefit from “a stream of strategic minerals from Congo” in an interview with the New York Times on February 22.[13]