The M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may have suffered a significant setback after its military spokesperson, Willy Ngoma, was reportedly killed in a drone strike by government forces near Rubaya, North Kivu, on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.
The attack targets a region critical for rebel financing, raising questions about the movement’s future operations.
Three sources — a regional diplomat, a senior rebel associate, and a Western adviser — confirmed Ngoma’s death.
However, official statements from both the Congolese army and M23 leadership are still pending, and the presidency in Kinshasa has not commented.
Rubaya is an important coltan-mining town, providing the rebels with a major source of revenue.
Ngoma, a lieutenant colonel, was the public face of M23, often giving updates on rebel advances and territorial control.
He gained international recognition in 2025, during the M23 seizure of Goma and other areas in North and South Kivu, where he articulated the group’s positions and military movements.
The reported killing coincides with ongoing Qatar-mediated ceasefire discussions, which aim to establish monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance from both sides.
Previously, Ngoma was targeted by the European Union’s sanctions over his involvement in activities linked to human rights violations and prolonged instability in eastern DRC.