The military spokesperson for the M23 rebel group, Lieutenant-Colonel Willy Ngoma, was killed in a drone strike early Tuesday near the town of Rubaya in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province, according to multiple corroborating sources. The strike, described as a significant development, occurred around 3:00 a.m. and was carried out by drones operated by the Congolese army. Rubaya is a major site for coltan mining, a mineral critical to global electronics supply chains, with the area accounting for approximately 15% of the world’s production.
The attack reportedly targeted a location where several rebel officials were gathered. Beyond Ngoma, other M23 figures are believed to have been killed, though details remain limited. His death removes a key communicator for the movement, which has been engaged in a conflict with the Congolese government and allied forces.
Hours before the strike, M23’s political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, accused the government in Kinshasa of violating a recently established ceasefire. In a post on social media platform X, Kanyuka claimed forces had unleashed “a total war across all front lines” and were conducting “indiscriminate” bombings in Rubaya that resulted in civilian casualties. The rebel group later issued an obituary for Ngoma, condemning what it termed the government’s “grave acts.”
Ngoma was a sanctioned figure, having been designated by the European Union in December 2022 for his role as M23 spokesperson. In 2023, the United States also imposed sanctions on him, citing alleged involvement in human rights abuses, including killings and sexual violence. His elimination follows a period of intensified fighting in North Kivu despite regional diplomatic pushes for a cessation of hostilities.
The M23, originally formed in 2012 and resurged in 2021, controls significant territory in eastern DRC and has been accused of receiving external support, notably from Rwanda—a charge Kigali denies. The group’s activities are intertwined with the region’s lucrative mineral trade, often funding operations through control of sites like Rubaya.
This incident underscores the fragility of ceasefire efforts in eastern DRC, where armed groups maintain substantial influence. The killing of a high-profile spokesperson may impact the rebel movement’s coordination and propaganda efforts. For the Congolese government, the strike demonstrates a willingness to use drone capabilities against senior rebel figures, though it risks further escalation.
Regional bodies, including the East African Community and the African Union, have been mediating a peace process. The international community, which has imposed sanctions on M23 leaders, will likely watch for any retaliation or shifts in the rebel group’s stance. The conflict continues to displace civilians and destabilize a region essential to global mineral supplies, highlighting the complex intersection of security, resources, and diplomacy in the DRC’s ongoing crisis.
