Willy Ngoma, the spokesperson of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, has been killed in a drone strike in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the rebel movement has confirmed.
Ngoma, who served as the public face of M23 and frequently addressed the media on the group’s military and political positions, was reportedly killed on Tuesday amid ongoing clashes between M23 fighters and Congolese government forces.
Earlier reports indicated that he had died in a drone strike targeting rebel positions in the conflict-hit eastern region. The confirmation by M23 now removes uncertainty surrounding his fate.
The development comes as fighting intensifies between the rebels and the Congolese army, with Kinshasa continuing to accuse neighbouring Rwanda of backing the group—claims Kigali has consistently denied.
Eastern DRC remains a volatile theatre of conflict, marked by shifting frontlines, regional tensions, and longstanding disputes over security and control of mineral-rich territory. Ngoma’s death is likely to have political and operational implications for the rebel movement as the conflict persists.
