M23 Senior Rebel Official Killed by Drone Strike in Eastern Congo
Senior M23 rebel commander killed in drone strike amid ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
- Willy Ngoma, senior M23 official, killed in Rubaya drone strike.
- Attack occurs amid ongoing military operations and ceasefire tensions.
- Raises concerns over escalating conflict in eastern Congo.
A senior official of the M23 Movement has been killed in a drone strike in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict in the region.
Officials, including a regional diplomat and senior rebel figures, confirmed that Willy Ngoma, the military spokesperson and a senior commander for the rebel group, was killed in an early‑morning drone strike near Rubaya in the North Kivu province on 24 February 2026.
The strike occurred amid intensified military operations after several days of drone attacks in the area, which is known as a strategic mining hub for coltan — a mineral vital to global electronics production.
Ngoma, who had been one of the most visible leaders of the M23 rebels, played a key role in the group’s communications and operations. His death comes as ceasefire efforts between the Congolese government and the rebel movement continue, with both sides accusing each other of violating truce terms.
The attack has raised concerns about escalating tensions in eastern Congo, where decades‑long conflict has displaced millions and drawn in regional and international mediation efforts aimed at restoring peace.
