The military leader of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group, Sultani Makenga, has made his first public appearance following the drone strike that killed the group’s spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Willy Ngoma.
A video shared by the AFC/M23 head of communications, Lawrence Kanyuka, shows Makenga reportedly officiating the passout of fighters, marking his first appearance since the attack in Masisi territory, North Kivu, which claimed Ngoma’s life.
Makenga’s reappearance puts to rest speculation that he may have been caught up in the same strike. In the days following the drone attack, rumors had circulated on social media suggesting that the senior rebel commander could have been among those targeted.
The confirmation of Ngoma’s death earlier this week marked a significant moment for the rebel movement, as he had been the group’s most visible public figure and its principal spokesperson. His death was confirmed by the March 23 Movement after initial reports emerged from regional media.
Makenga has been a central figure in the insurgency operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The situation in North Kivu remains volatile, with drone warfare and ground offensives increasingly shaping the dynamics of the conflict.
