Congo War Security Review

Data Cutoff: March 13, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: The South African Development Community (SADC) terminated the mandate of its peacekeeping force in eastern DRC (SAMIDRC) and ordered the force’s withdrawal. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi said that he “fully and resolutely supports” the prospect of direct DRC-M23 dialogue. M23 advanced toward the Walikale’s district capital in western North Kivu after capturing several villages along the road between with Masisi and Walikale districts. M23 allied with a Congolese army (FARDC)-aligned local militia group in northern Uvira district in South Kivu, dealing a “blow” to pro-Congolese government forces’ efforts to stop M23’s advance in the area.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 allied with a local militia group who allowed the group to advance through Rurambo town in northern Uvira district in South Kivu.[1] Congolese journalists previously reported that M23 took Rurambo on March 12 as the group advanced southward toward central Uvira district.[2] The militia group was previously aligned with FARDC but clashed with FARDC and Burundian forces after allying with M23.[3] Congolese media described the militia’s defection to M23 as a “blow” to FARDC and Burundian troops’ efforts to stop M23’s advance in the area.[4]

Congolese journalists on social media reported that M23 took control of the Idjwi district of South Kivu on March 12.[5] Idjwi district is an island on Lake Kivu near the DRC’s maritime border with Rwanda. A pro-M23 social media account said that M23’s capture of several key cities on Lake Kivu in late January and early February allowed the group to seize Idjwi with little resistance from pro-Congolese government forces.[6] M23’s capture of Idjwi district solidifies the group’s control over Lake Kivu and the DRC’s maritime border with Rwanda.

The Congolese army (FARDC) and pro-Congolese government militias clashed with M23-aligned Twirwaneho and RED Tabara rebels in several villages near Minembwe town in the Fizi district of southern South Kivu on March 13.[7] A Congolese journalist claimed that FARDC and allied militias ambushed and killed more than 72 M23-aligned rebels during clashes in Ibumba and Natulonge localities—located 28 miles west of Minembwe town—on March 13.[8] Pro-Congolese government forces have clashed with M23-aligned rebels in Minembwe town and nearby areas since early March.[9]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

M23 advanced toward  the Walikale’s district capital in western North Kivu after capturing several villages  along the road between the Masisi and Walikale districts. M23 captured Kashebere town in Masisi territory before advancing to Kibati village in Walikale territory on March 12.[10] The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that M23 plans to capture Walikale town—about “three days of walking” along the RP529 road from Kibati—and that FARDC and allied militias are attempting to block M23’s advance at Kibua village, which is located about 15 miles west of Kibati.[11]

M23 continued to consolidate its control over the area around Masisi town in the Masisi district in central North Kivu. The Congolese media outlet Kivu Morning Post reported that M23 captured Muheto town and several nearby villages after clashing with FARDC and allied militias on March 12.[12] FARDC and pro-Congolese government militia had attacked villages near Masisi town in early March, but M23 launched a counterattack that broke through pro-Congolese government positions near Masisi town on March 9.[13] 

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

The South African Development Community (SADC) terminated the mandate of its peacekeeping force in eastern DRC (SAMIDRC) and ordered the force’s withdrawal during a virtual heads of state summit on March 13.[14] Several SADC troop-contributing countries had called for the withdrawal of the 1,300-strong SADC force after M23 captured North Kivu’s provincial capital, Goma, in late January.[15] The SADC force confined most its forces to their bases in Goma and had not sent reinforcements since SADC suffered casualties when M23 captured Goma.[16]

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi said that he “fully and resolutely supports” the prospect of direct DRC-M23 dialogue on March 13.[17] Angola previously announced plans on March 12 for potential peace talks between the DRC and Rwanda scheduled for March 18.[18] DRC spokesperson Tina Salama had said prior to Tshisekedi’s statement that the DRC “received an invitation” but would “wait to see” the details of Angola’s approach before confirming its participation in the talks.[19] Congolese officials told French media on March 12 that the DRC was “surprised” by Angola’s statement and considered it a “unilateral announcement that was not coordinated with Kinshasa.”[20] A DRC spokesperson told Congolese media that the DRC retains its commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 2773, which the UN passed in late February and demanded the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and M23 forces from occupied areas of the eastern DRC.[21] An M23 spokesperson told Reuters on March 11 that the group plans to attend the talks, but M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka released a statement on March 13 that said Angola had yet to officially invite the group to the negotiations.[22]

France announced that it suspended “new development aid projects in Rwanda” on March 12.[23] The French measures come as the EU is expected to move ahead on a proposed sanctions package on Rwanda during an upcoming EU foreign ministers meeting on March 17.[24]