Congo War Security Review, April 29, 2025

Data Cutoff: April 29, 2025, at 1 P.M. EST

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Read CTP’s latest analysis on peace talks between the DRC, M23, and Rwanda in the Congo War Security Review Special Edition: Slow and Steady – What to Make of DRC-M23 Peace Talks.

Read CTP’s latest analysis on the war in the eastern DRC in the weekly Africa File here. To receive the Africa File and Congo War Security Review via email, please subscribe here.

Key Takeaway: M23 reportedly began advancing westward and southward from the Kaziba chiefdom capital in South Kivu province. Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops withdrew from the eastern DRC. Civil society representatives in western Masisi district claimed M23 has reinforced the area in recent days. M23 increased recruitment efforts in North Kivu province.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

M23 reportedly began advancing westward and southward from the Kaziba chiefdom capital. M23 clashed with Congolese army (FARDC) troops and pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militia fighters in the Kaziba chiefdom for the third straight day using light and heavy weaponry on April 29.[1] Multiple Congolese media sources reported on April 29 that some M23 elements advanced from Lwanguku in two directions—roughly 15 miles westward on a local road toward Luwinja village near the RN2 road and southward toward the Fizi highlands via forested route.[2] M23 recaptured Lwanguku—the chiefdom’s capital—on April 27 after launching an offensive from the surrounding hills that led pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters to withdraw to the town’s outskirts.[3] Local sources previously reported the presence of Burundian troops in Kaziba in late April.[4]

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Civil society representatives in western Masisi district claimed M23 has reinforced the area in recent days. Congolese journalist Yassin Kombi reported that the representatives said on April 29 that M23 forces have sent significant amounts of troops and military equipment to the area between the Kibati and Kashebere villages on the RP529 road since April 26.[5] The Congolese news outlet Actualite.cd reported on April 28 that M23 began “strengthening their positions” near Kibati and Kashebere.[6] M23 had reoccupied several villages in western Masisi district, including Kibati and Kashebere, on the RP529 road on April 26.[7]

Wazalendo fighters attacked M23 positions in a village on the RP1030 road in eastern Masisi district. The Congolese news outlet Kivu Morning Post reported that Wazalendos attacked M23 in Kashuga village—about 15 miles north of Kitchanga on the RP1030—and occupied the town center on April 29.[8]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops withdrew from the eastern DRC. Congolese and French media reported that an unspecified number of SADC troops began withdrawing discreetly from Goma with escorts from Rwandan police vehicles to Rwanda via the main border post with Rwanda on April 29.[9] Actualite.cd reported on April 29 that M23 recovered FARDC military equipment that SADC troops had possessed formerly.[10] The Rwandan foreign minister said on social media on April 29 that Rwanda facilitated SADC’s withdrawal and that the force’s presence was “always a complicating factor in the conflict.”[11] M23 and SADC troops had agreed on a phased withdrawal plan for SADC troops in late March, but the agreement collapsed after M23 accused SADC troops of participating in an attack on Goma on April 11 and reneged on the deal.[12]

M23 increased recruitment efforts in North Kivu. The Congolese news outlet Radio Okapi reported on April 29 that M23 has been conducting sophisticated “recruitment operations” targeting young people in Goma, the North Kivu provincical capital, and in Nyiragongo and Rutshuru districts.[13] The outlet said that M23 directed young people who enlisted to “ideological training centers, before being taught weapons skills and joining the fighters.”[14] Manzi Willy—the M23-appointed “Vice Governor” of North Kivu—had claimed on social media on April 25 that more than 300 young people from Nyiragongo district recently joined the rebellion.[15]

The Qatari foreign ministry released a statement in support of a peace initiative sponsored by a coalition of Congolese religious leaders.[16] French media reported that the religious leaders arrived in Doha, the Qatari capital, on April 26 and April 27 and are expected to be in Doha until May 1.[17] The French state media outlet Radio France Internationale reported on April 29 that Qatar “wants religious leaders to play a role in the search for peace in the DRC.”[18] The outlet said that Qatari officials hope the leaders can play a “bridging role” within the “broader political level” of Congolese internal affairs.[19] The religious leaders had previously met with several African heads of state, European leaders, Congolese officials and opposition politicians, and M23 leaders, who expressed support for the peace effort.[20]