Congo War Security Review, April 24, 2025

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

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Key Takeaway: The DRC and M23 released an official joint statement for the first time following the conclusion of an initial cycle of Qatari-mediated peace talks despite continued reports of significant disagreements. It remains unclear, however, whether the joint DRC-M23 statement resulted in a definitive truce or ceasefire agreement and when the next round of talks will occur. M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militia fighters in a village south of Bukavu, the South Kivu provincial capital. The French investigative outlet Africa Intelligence reported that Congolese security officials are negotiating with a Chinese state-owned defense company over a contract to procure attack drones.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militia fighters in a village south of Bukavu, the South Kivu provincial capital. The Congolese news outlet Kivu Morning Post reported on social media that M23 clashed with Wazalendo in Nyangezi—about 15 miles south of Bukavu on the RN5 road—on April 24.[1] M23 has reportedly been conducting clearing operations against Wazalendo fighters in Nyangezi and nearby villages since April 21.[2]

The Congolese army (FARDC) clashed with their Wazalendo militia allies near Uvira town on Lake Tanganyika. Congolese media sources reported on social media on April 24 that FARDC elements clashed with Wazalendos on the hills overlooking Uvira.[3] Congolese journalist Byobe Malenga reported that FARDC attempted to dislodge Wazalendo fighters from “strategic positions” near the town.[4]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Nothing significant to report.

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

The DRC and M23 released an official joint statement for the first time following the conclusion of an initial cycle of Qatari-mediated peace talks on April 23.[5] The belligerent parties signed off on several commitments after “frank and constructive discussions.”[6] The joint statement said that the DRC and M23 “agreed to work towards concluding a truce that would contribute to the effectiveness of the ceasefire.”[7] The two parties “reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate cessation of hostilities” and a “categorical rejection of any hate speech” and for “all local communities to uphold these commitments.”[8] The two parties agreed to observe “these commitments” until future discussions that will “address the root causes” of the conflict and identify concrete ways to restore peace take place.[9] The Belgian, Qatari, and Rwandan foreign ministers released separate statements on social media in support of the joint statement on April 23.[10]

It remains unclear, however, whether the joint statement resulted in a definitive truce or ceasefire agreement and when the next round of talks will occur. The joint statement said that the two parties reiterated their commitment to a pause in fighting and “working toward concluding a truce” but had not formally agreed to a long-term ceasefire deal.[11] The French state media outlet Radio France Internationale (RFI) characterized the joint statement as a “statement of intent” and “not yet a ceasefire agreement... [or] a truce” on April 24.[12] RFI said that the joint statement presupposes that the two parties must “honor the commitments made, before opening a real, in-depth dialogue.”[13] Reuters cited a UN source commenting on the joint statement on April 23, who said that “fighting had resumed” in Walikale district in North Kivu.[14]

Several sources continue to report that significant disputes limited progress during talks and nearly derailed the release of a joint statement. Multiple Congolese and French media sources previously reported that that several “deep disagreements” impeded the progress of the talks as early as April 13 and that the M23 delegation left Doha, the Qatari capital, on April 22 without signing a joint document over a week after the two parties concluded discussions and drafted the joint statement.[15] RFI reported on April 23 that DRC President Félix Tshisekedi waited five days before he greenlit the joint statement on April 22.[16] Reuters cited sources in the DRC and M23 delegations on April 23 who “expressed frustration over the pace of negotiations.”[17] The Congolese media outlet Radio Okapi reported on April 23 that the M23 delegation left Doha on April 22 and conditioned another round of talks on the DRC to swap out its negotiating team.[18] Reuters cited diplomatic sources on April 23 who said that Qatar “pressured the two sides into releasing a joint statement agreeing to continue to work on a truce” after M23 left Doha due to disagreements over “confidence-building measures.”[19]

The French investigative outlet Africa Intelligence reported that Congolese security officials are negotiating with a Chinese state-owned defense company over a contract to procure attack drones. Africa Intelligence reported on April 23 that discussions between the DRC and Chinese state-owned China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) to buy three Wing Loong attack drones reached an “advanced stage” in February 2025.[20] The outlet said that the planned procurement comes as FARDC “prepares to counter-attack M23” in the eastern DRC.[21] The outlet said that that the delivery of the three drones is scheduled for late 2024.[22] The outlet said that the DRC is also seeking to purchase “various stocks of munitions” for the drones and other aerial fighting capabilities.[23] Africa Intelligence reported that the contract is the result of a military accord signed between the DRC and China in September 2024 on the sidelines of the China-Africa Forum in Beijing, the Chinese capital.[24]

Rwanda is reportedly in talks with the United States for a potential minerals deal. Reuters quoted a Rwandan government spokesperson on April 23 who affirmed that the Rwandan government is negotiating with the US over a mineral access deal.[25] The United States is also currently in talks with the DRC for a potential minerals-for-security deal.