WHY Attribution of the Mushaki Drone Attack Remains Unclear

A reported drone attack in Mushaki, in Masisi territory, killed at least 24 people and wounded dozens on Friday, May 8, according to ACTUALITÉ.CD. The strike reportedly hit during market activity in an area under AFC/M23 control, more than 40 kilometers west of Goma.

The incident matters because it comes as eastern DRC remains locked in a fragile security environment, with civilians repeatedly caught between government forces, allied groups and AFC/M23 rebels. The reported casualties have renewed concern over the use of drones in populated areas.

AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused Congolese government forces of carrying out the strike and said at least 21 civilians were killed and more than 67 wounded. Those figures have not been independently verified.

The attack also comes after talks involving the DRC government and AFC/M23 in Montreux, Switzerland, where parties discussed humanitarian access, ceasefire monitoring and prisoner releases under the Doha framework.

Conflict monitors also reported that Kanyuka accused the Congolese government of a May 8 drone attack in Mushaki, while noting that FARDC drones had previously targeted M23 positions in the same area in March.

The Mushaki incident adds pressure on mediation efforts aimed at reducing violence around Goma and wider North Kivu. Until casualty figures and responsibility are independently confirmed, the strike remains a serious reported escalation with major humanitarian implications.