M23 Rebel Spokesperson Willy Ngoma Killed in Drone Strike Amid Ceasefire Tensions

Lieutenant-Colonel Willy Ngoma, military spokesperson for the M23 rebel group, was killed in a drone strike near Rubaya in North Kivu province, dealing a major blow to the group amid ongoing ceasefire efforts. Ngoma, who was under EU and US sanctions for alleged human rights abuses, was targeted alongside other rebel officials. M23 accused the Congolese government of violating the ceasefire and carrying out indiscriminate bombings.

The military spokesperson for the M23 rebel group, Lieutenant-Colonel Willy Ngoma, was killed early Tuesday in a drone strike near Rubaya in North Kivu province, multiple sources confirmed, marking a major blow to the rebel movement at a critical time when ceasefire negotiations were underway. Ngoma’s death is likely to have significant implications for the group’s operational capabilities and political influence, as he was a prominent figure within M23 and a key communicator for its leadership.
According to information from a senior M23 official, a regional diplomat, and a Western government adviser cited by Reuters, the strike occurred around 3:00 a.m. near Rubaya, a strategically important town known for its coltan mining operations, which contribute roughly 15 percent of the global coltan supply. The area has long been a focal point of conflict due to its economic and strategic significance, and the Congolese army reportedly deployed drones to target rebel positions, resulting in the deaths of several M23 officials in addition to Ngoma.
Earlier on the same day, M23 political spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka took to X to accuse the Congolese government in Kinshasa of violating the ceasefire agreement. Kanyuka claimed that the government had "unleashed a total war across all front lines" and carried out "indiscriminate" bombings in Rubaya, which he said had "massacred innocent civilians." Following Ngoma’s death, the rebel group issued an official obituary condemning what it described as the government’s "grave acts," further intensifying tensions and complicating ongoing peace efforts.
Ngoma was a sanctioned figure internationally due to his role within M23. He had been placed under European Union sanctions in December 2022 for his activities as the group’s military spokesperson. In 2023, the United States also designated him for alleged involvement in serious human rights violations, including killings and sexual violence, reflecting his central and controversial role in the rebel movement. His leadership and public profile had made him a key target for government security forces and international monitoring.
The killing of Ngoma underscores the continued volatility in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where rebel activity, resource competition, and government counterinsurgency operations frequently intersect. It also highlights the use of advanced military technology, such as drone strikes, in targeting high-profile rebel figures, signaling a shift in operational tactics by the Congolese army in efforts to weaken armed groups while pursuing a fragile peace process. Observers note that while the strike may temporarily disrupt M23’s command structure, it could also inflame tensions and provoke retaliatory actions, complicating regional security and humanitarian conditions.
Ngoma’s death therefore not only affects the immediate dynamics within M23 but also carries broader implications for ceasefire negotiations, local civilian safety, and the ongoing struggle for control over strategic economic resources in North Kivu. The incident is likely to draw continued international attention, particularly from regional mediators and countries invested in stabilizing eastern Congo, as stakeholders assess the impact on both peace efforts and security in the region