AFC/M23 Confirms Death of Spokesperson Col. Willy Ngoma in North Kivu

The AFC/M23 coalition has confirmed the death of Colonel Willy Ngoma, a senior officer and spokesperson of its military wing, the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC), who was killed in North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The announcement was made on the evening of February 28, 2026, by AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, who stated that the officer died on February 24, 2026 during ongoing fighting in the region. According to Kanyuka, Col. Willy Ngoma was killed at around 9:00 a.m. when a drone strike attributed to the Congolese army targeted positions where he and other fighters were engaged in combat against forces aligned with the DRC government. Kanyuka accused the government of violating a ceasefire agreement and escalating hostilities, alleging that attacks involving drones and military operations have targeted both AFC/M23 fighters and civilians. “This violation of the ceasefire has cost us one of our senior officers,” he said, adding that the situation continues to result in casualties among what he described as innocent civilians. The coalition said clashes have intensified in several conflict-affected areas of North and South Kivu, including Mweso, Rutigita, Kitazungura, Rugezi, Rubaya, Walikale, Masisi, Kalehe, Minembwe and Gasheke, where fighting and drone strikes have been reported in recent weeks. Particularly heavy fighting has been reported around Rubaya, where armed groups associated with the Wazalendo coalition, including CMC-FDP, Raia Mutomboki and PARECO-FFF, have been involved in clashes with AFC/M23 forces. The coalition said reinforcements were deployed to the area in response to the attacks. Kanyuka stated that the alliance remains committed to protecting civilians in territories under its control while continuing to participate in peace efforts aimed at ending the conflict. Colonel Willy Ngoma became widely known as the spokesperson of the M23 movement when the group resumed armed operations in November 2021 following the collapse of negotiations with the DRC government. During that period, he regularly communicated the movement’s position, arguing that Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese communities, particularly those of Tutsi origin, were facing violence and displacement. Ngoma was also among senior commanders who appeared publicly in areas captured by the movement in eastern Congo to reassure local populations during military advances. At the start of the renewed rebellion, Ngoma held the rank of Major. He was promoted to Colonel in January 2024, a promotion the movement said recognized his leadership and operational performance during the conflict.