Intensifying Conflict in Eastern DRC: M23 Rebels Advance
The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels intensified their offensive in early January 2025, advancing toward the strategic urban center of Masisi despite an official ceasefire. The Congolese military (FARDC) and its allied Wazalendo militias failed to halt the advance, resulting in M23 seizing control of Masisi and nearby settlements by January 4.
Located approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Goma—a provincial capital housing over a million residents—Masisi’s capture marks a major victory for the rebels. However, despite their historic capture of Goma in 2012, current indications suggest that the city is not a priority for M23 at this time.
Instead, local reports indicate that M23 is moving westward toward Walikale territory, an area targeted by the group in late 2024. Heavy clashes have also been reported near Bweremana, a strategic area often referred to as the gateway to South Kivu.
South Kivu itself has witnessed intensified violence, with a coalition of FARDC, Makanika forces, and Red Tabara fighters engaging in a fierce two-day battle around Minembwe, leaving over 30 people dead. Meanwhile, fresh clashes along key routes to South Kivu suggest the violence may escalate further and expand geographically.
In response, FARDC launched a counteroffensive, regaining control of settlements around Sake, Masisi, and Bweremana. However, the sustainability of this momentum remains uncertain.
M23’s recent movements indicate a renewed focus on Sake, a town it has besieged for months. Losing control of Sake under mounting internal and external pressure could have profound consequences for Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, potentially shaping the future trajectory of the conflict.
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FLA–JNIM Coordination Halts Malian Military Advance Toward Kidal
On 11 July 2025, a massive Malian army convoy—82 vehicles strong—departed Gao, fully equipped with armoured vehicles, logistical trucks, and heavy weaponry, and headed toward Anefis. The mission: to reinforce strategic outposts in Kidal, Tessalit, and Aghelhok. Far from a ceremonial procession, the convoy represented a bold assertion of military control over northern Mali’s rebel-held Azawad region.
Mauritius Strengthens Its Claim to a 183,000 km² Continental Shelf Expansion Around Rodrigues
In a move with far-reaching geopolitical and economic implications, Mauritius has officially reinforced its request to the United Nations to extend its continental shelf by 183,000 km² around Rodrigues Island. The request, submitted to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), represents a strategic step in the island nation’s broader effort to secure maritime sovereignty.
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