The March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group has accused the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo of carrying out a series of drone attacks targeting civilian areas in the eastern city of Goma, escalating tensions in the conflict-hit region.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Corneille Nangaa, the coordinator of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a coalition allied to the March 23 Movement (M23), claimed that drones allegedly launched by forces loyal to President Félix Tshisekedi struck residential houses in Goma’s Himbi neighbourhood at around 4:00 a.m.
According to the rebel coalition, the attack left three people dead and several others injured. Among the reported victims was Carine de Buisset, a French national said to be working with UNICEF. The group also alleged that another projectile hit the residence of a Belgian national identified as Pascal, reportedly the manager of a Toyota branch in Goma.
The rebels said the strike was part of what they described as a broader pattern of attacks allegedly carried out by Congolese government forces against areas under M23 control in eastern Congo.
Alleged Pattern of Attacks
In the statement, AFC/M23 claimed that similar drone strikes occurred on March 7 in Mushaki, located in Masisi Territory in North Kivu Province, where civilians were reportedly killed during bombings.
The group also referenced earlier attacks in January that allegedly targeted the central market and residential areas of Masisi-Centre, which it said left about 100 people dead and dozens injured.
Another incident cited by the rebels occurred on the night of February 23–24 in Rubaya, where shelling reportedly killed Willy Ngoma, a senior military spokesperson for the rebel alliance.
According to the coalition, air strikes have also targeted communities in Lubero, Walikale and Rutshuru in North Kivu Province, as well as the Minembwe area in Fizi Territory in South Kivu Province.
Rebel Leaders Allegedly Targeted
The alliance further alleged that the attacks were intended to assassinate its leadership, including political coordinator Corneille Nangaa and military commander Sultani Makenga.
It said the strikes were also aimed at senior members Bertrand Bisimwa and Freddy Kaniki.
The rebels accused government coalition forces—comprising the national army and allied militias—of violating ceasefire agreements and undermining ongoing peace efforts mediated by international actors, including Qatar, the United States and the African Union.
Call for International Investigation
Nangaa called on the international community and humanitarian organisations operating in eastern Congo to investigate the alleged attacks and hold those responsible accountable.
“The tragedy of this night recalls a simple truth: when a power chooses to bomb residential neighbourhoods, violence makes no distinction of nationality or status,” the statement read.
The group warned that its armed wing, the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC), would continue to defend territories under its control and protect civilians living in those areas.
By press time, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo had not issued an immediate response to the accusations.
