Congo War Security Review, March 14, 2025

Data Cutoff: March 14, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: The Congolese army (FARDC) and allied militias blocked M23’s advance toward the district capital of Walikale territory and attacked M23’s flank in western North Kivu. The East African Community (EAC) and South African Development Community (SADC) scheduled a joint summit of the blocs’ foreign ministers for March 17 that intends to approve measures to advance peace talks and implement a ceasefire. Canadian mining company Alphamin Resources suspended operations at the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s largest tin mine after M23’s advances into Walikale territory on March 13. FARDC and the Burundian army (FDNB) attempted to recapture several villages in Uvira territory in South Kivu from M23 and M23-aligned militias on March 13.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

The Congolese army (FARDC) and the Burundian army (FDNB) attempted to recapture several villages in Uvira territory in South Kivu from M23 and M23-aligned militias on March 13. FARDC, pro-Congolese government militias, and the FDNB attacked M23 and allied militia positions in Kashama—located 50 miles from the provincial capital Bukavu.[1] The pro-Congolese government coalition also clashed with M23 and allied militias in Kigarama—located about 60 miles from the city of Uvira and about 55 miles from Kashama—on March 13.[2] The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that the government coalition still controlled several villages near Kigarama on March 13, which Congolese journalists previously reported were captured on March 12.[3]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

FARDC and allied militias blocked M23’s advance toward the district capital of Walikale territory and attacked M23’s flank. Congolese media outlets reported that FARDC and pro-Congolese government militias advanced 15 miles east along the RP529 and recaptured a portion of Kibati village after clashing with M23 on March 13.[4]  M23 captured Kibati village—located “three days of walking” from the district capital, Walikale town—on March 12.[5]

FARDC and allied militia reinforcements stationed in Pinga—roughly 37 miles north of the RP529—attacked M23’s flank around Nyabiondo town on March 13.[6] The Congolese media outlet Tazama RDC reported that FARDC and pro-Congolese government militias recaptured some areas but that they were cut off from reinforcements and supplies and claimed that their occupation of the villages “will not last.”[7]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

Candian mining company Alphamin Resources suspended operations at the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s largest tin mine after M23’s advances into Walikale territory on March 13.[8] Alphamin‘s Bisie mining site—located 53 miles west of Walikale town—produces 7 percent of the world’s mined tin, is the largest tin mine in the DRC, and is the third largest tin mine in the world.[9]

The East African Community (EAC) and South African Development Community (SADC) scheduled a joint summit of the blocs’ foreign ministers on March 17 that intends to approve measures to advance peace talks and implement a ceasefire.[10] The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that the EAC-SADC foreign ministers are expected to produce a “roadmap for political dialogue” and consider a report by the EAC-SADC defense chiefs on progress toward a ceasefire.[11] The summit was initially meant to be held on February 28 but was postponed. The EAC-SADC foreign ministers were expected to finalize the merging of the Kenya-mediated Nairobi process and the Angola-mediated Luanda process and consider measures to enforce a ceasefire—including a joint peacekeeping force—in February.[12] Top officials from the DRC stated they supported an “alignment” between the two processes rather than a creation of an entirely new process on March 6.[13] The 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]