AFC/M23 Confirms Death of Military Spokesperson Willy Ngoma

NORTH KIVU February 28, 2026 - The AFC/M23 rebel movement officially announced on Saturday, February 28, the death of its military spokesperson, Colonel Willy Ngoma, who was killed on February 24 in a drone strike attributed to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). In its statement, the movement accused the Kinshasa government of deliberately violating the ceasefire and launching a full-scale offensive in eastern DRC. The rebels said that the strike, and other recent military operations, have made both soldiers and civilians primary targets, even beyond active frontlines. “These crimes will not go unnoticed or unpunished. Our duty is to guarantee the protection of our people and our soldiers throughout the liberated territory,” the AFC/M23 declared. The announcement comes amid escalating fighting across North and South Kivu, following repeated FARDC airstrikes and ground offensives by the Wazalendo militia, allies of the government forces. The movement cited multiple localities affected by the conflict, including Kawele, Mweso, Rutigita, Kitazungura, Rugezi, Rubaya, Walikale, Masisi, Kalehe, Gasovu, Minembwe, Kinyumba, and Nyabyondo, among others. This marks the second significant loss for the group after the death of Magloire Paluku, occurring in the context of slow progress on international peace initiatives under the Washington and Doha processes, supported by the African Union, but with limited impact on the ground. Despite the intensified military pressure, the AFC/M23 maintains control over large areas of North and South Kivu.