M23 Spokesman Willy Ngoma Killed in Drone Strike Near Rubaya

Willy Ngoma, the military spokesperson of the AFC/M23 rebel movement, was killed early Tuesday morning near the mining town of Rubaya in North Kivu, according to rebel officials and local sources.

Willy Ngoma and several other M23/RDF fighters were reportedly traveling in a convoy when it was struck in what sources described as a drone attack. The circumstances remain unclear, and the final death toll has not yet been confirmed.

Local witnesses said the strike occurred around 2:40 a.m. in an area overlooking Rubaya, a strategic coltan-producing zone in Masisi territory. At least nine bodies were reportedly recovered from the rubble of a residential building that was hit.

Two foreign fighters, described by sources as white mercenaries, are also said to have been killed. Unconfirmed reports suggest that General Sultani Makenga, the military leader of the movement, may have been injured.

Rubaya: A Strategic Location

Rubaya holds one of the most significant coltan deposits in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and has become a central source of revenue for M23 since the town fell under its control in April 2024. Control of the mining area has made Rubaya a strategic focal point in the wider conflict.

In recent days, fighting has intensified in both North and South Kivu. FARDC's Drone activity has been reported in the area since Monday, raising speculation about a shift in tactics as Congolese forces increase pressure on rebel-held zones.

Willy Ngoma: A Key Figure in M23 Rebels

Willy Ngoma was one of the most visible figures within M23, serving as its public and military spokesperson.

He was sanctioned by the United States in December 2023 over alleged involvement in serious human rights violations, including killings and sexual violence in North Kivu. U.S. authorities specifically cited incidents in Kishishe in November 2022.

The European Union had also imposed restrictive measures against him in 2022, linking him to instability and insecurity in eastern Congo through his leadership role in the Kigali-backed movement.

His reported death represents a significant blow to the group’s command structure and public communication apparatus.

Uncertain Toll

While multiple sources confirm Ngoma’s death, the full impact of the strike remains unclear. Rebel officials have acknowledged losses but have not provided detailed casualty figures.

The incident marks one of the most high-profile losses for M23 since its renewed offensive in eastern Congo.

For now, one of the rebellion’s most recognizable faces is gone, at a time when control of coltan-rich territory remains central to the conflict.