Congo War Security Review, April 22, 2025

Data Cutoff: April 22, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: Qatari-mediated peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels broke down after M23 rejected several measures by the DRC government. Pro-Congolese government forces repelled an M23 attack on the RP529 road in eastern Walikale district. The DRC government issued several ministerial orders against Kabila and members of his political party. M23 reasserted control over several villages on the outskirts of Bukavu after deploying reinforcements to the area in mid-April.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 cleared Wazalendo fighters from several villages on the outskirts of Bukavu—the South Kivu provincial capital—after deploying reinforcements to the area in mid April. An independent Congolese journalist reported on social media that M23 clashed with Wazalendo fighters and took control of at least four villages about 2 miles south of Nyangezi and 17 miles south of Bukavu on the RN5 road on April 22.[1] M23 has clashed with Wazalendos near Nyangezi since mid-March.[2] Congolese media reported on April 18 that M23 has heavily militarized Bukavu and rural villages on the provincial capital’s outskirts—including Nyangezi—since mid-April.[3]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Pro-Congolese government forces repelled an M23 attack on the RP529 road in eastern Walikale district. M23 attacked pro-Congolese government forces near Kibati village and advanced at least one mile west on the RP529 road on April 22.[4] Pro-Congolese government forces repelled the M23 advance, however, and pushed the rebels back to Kibati, which is about 13 miles west of Nyabiondo on the RP529, on April 22.[5] Independent Congolese journalists on social media reported that pro-Congolese government forces also clashed with M23 in Kashebere—about eight miles west of Nyabiondo and six miles east of Kibati—on the RP529 on April 22.[6]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

Qatari-mediated peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels broke down after M23 rejected several measures by the DRC government. The DRC government released at least five prisoners allegedly linked to M23 in a show of good faith.[7] Congolese and French media reported that M23 “refused to recognize this measure,” however, and claimed that the detainees were not included in the list of individuals that it demanded receive amnesty that it gave to Qatari mediators.[8] A pro-M23 journalist reported on social media on April 22 that the released detainees included a relative of Corneille Nangaa—head of Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which is M23’s political branch—and the wife of an exiled Congolese politician.[9] The French magazine Jeune Afrique reported on April 22 that the M23 delegation rejected the use of the term “terrorists” by the DRC government to refer to M23 in a joint document.[10] French state media outlet Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on April 22 that M23 also objected to the current legal proceedings against former DRC President Joseph Kabila as an obstacle to the “confidence-building measures” intended to help facilitate negotiations.[11] Pro-M23 journalist Steve Wembi said on social media on April 22 that the M23 delegation left Doha, Qatar’s capital, without signing a joint document with the DRC government or making an official statement.[12]

The DRC government issued several orders against Kabila and members of his political party. The DRC’s interior ministry issued a formal decree to provincial governors to enforce the suspension of the Parti du Peuple pour la Reconstruction et la Démocratie (PPRD)’s political activities on April 22.[13] RFI reported on April 22 that the DRC government may target other political parties as part of the DRC’s toughened stance against Kabila.[14] RFI reported that the DRC’s justice ministry plans to begin legal proceedings against the PPRD, seize certain assets, and restrict the movement of specific individuals linked to the PPRD “in the coming days.”[15] A Congolese politician in DRC President Félix Tshisekedi’s ruling coalition called for the DRC’s legislative body to revoke Kabila’s immunity status as a former president and senator for life.[16] The PPRD denounced the suspension of its activities and said that the measures were “arbitrary” and had no legal basis.[17] The Congolese interior minister defended these measures and claimed that the DRC government has obtained evidence of Kabila’s “proven involvement” with M23 in an interview with Jeune Afrique on April 22.[18]

M23 announced that it will reopen the Kavumu airport near Bukavu. The French media outlet TV5Monde reported on April 21 that M23 aims to resume operations at the airport by early May.[19] M23 captured Kavumu in mid-February, and clashes between M23 and FARDC damaged the airport.[20]