Drone Strikes Hit Goma, International Reactions Pour

Goma DRC March 11, 2026 - The city of Goma, capital of North Kivu Province and currently under AFC/M23 rebel control, was struck by drone attacks early Wednesday morning. The strikes, attributed by the AFC/M23 rebellion to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), caused material damage and at least three deaths, including a French UNICEF aid worker, as well as two other civilians. The Himbi neighborhood, near Lake Kivu, was particularly affected, with homes and civilian infrastructure damaged. The city has been controlled by the AFC/M23 since January 2025 and serves as the rebellion’s operational headquarters in North and South Kivu provinces. Rebel Response Bertrand Bisimwa, deputy coordinator of AFC/M23, condemned the strikes, accusing the Kinshasa government of violating the ceasefire and deploring the silence of international partners. He described the attacks as part of a campaign to “decapitate the revolution” and force an escalation of regional conflict. Corneille Nangaa, political coordinator of AFC/M23, specified that the strikes were allegedly targeting the leadership of the rebellion and key political figures, including General Sultani Makenga, Bertrand Bisimwa, and Freddy Kaniki. He affirmed the rebellion’s commitment to protecting civilians in areas under its control and warned that any escalation would be the responsibility of Kinshasa. International Reactions Belgium :Maxime Patrick Robert Albert Prévot, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, condemned the attacks as a violation of the ceasefire, emphasizing that such strikes against humanitarian workers are rising. “The drone attack in Goma claimed the lives of a humanitarian worker and civilians. The guns must fall silent. Let’s negotiate,” he said on X, offering condolences to the victims’ families. European Union : Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, responsible for Crisis Preparedness and Equality, called for respect for international humanitarian law and protection of humanitarian personnel. “All parties must respect their commitments. Humanitarian workers must never be targeted,” she warned. France :President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the death of the French UNICEF aid worker and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law. “These aid workers are committed to saving lives in a precarious and dangerous environment,” he said, offering condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of the deceased. United Nations : The UN mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) strongly condemned the escalation, describing the attacks as deeply concerning and reiterating that targeting UN personnel could constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute. Bruno Lemarquis, Acting Head of MONUSCO, called for a swift, independent investigation into the drone strikes and urged both parties to prioritize political dialogue to protect civilians. International Contact Group (ICG) : Earlier, on March 5, members of the ICG, including Belgium, Denmark, the EU, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA, had expressed concern over ceasefire violations in eastern DRC, highlighting the use of drones in military operations that endanger civilians. They stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict and called for urgent negotiations. Context The strikes come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including the Washington and Doha processes, supported by the African Union. Despite these initiatives, tensions remain high between Kinshasa and Kigali, as well as between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23, limiting progress on the ground. The attacks also reignite concern over humanitarian security, as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) had recorded a decrease in incidents affecting aid workers in January 2026, but the Goma attack demonstrates that risks remain severe.

Faits rapportés

Goma DRC March 11, 2026 - The city of Goma, capital of North Kivu Province and currently under AFC/M23 rebel control, was struck by drone attacks early Wednesday morning. The strikes, attributed by the AFC/M23 rebellion to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), caused material damage and at least three deaths, including a French UNICEF aid worker, as well as two other civilians. The Himbi neighborhood, near Lake Kivu, was particularly affected, with homes and civilian infrastructure damaged. The city has been controlled by the AFC/M23 since January 2025 and serves as the rebellion’s operational headquarters in North and South Kivu provinces. Rebel Response Bertrand Bisimwa, deputy coordinator of AFC/M23, condemned the strikes, accusing the Kinshasa government of violating the ceasefire and deploring the silence of international partners. He described the attacks as part of a campaign to “decapitate the revolution” and force an escalation of regional conflict. Corneille Nangaa, political coordinator of AFC/M23, specified that the strikes were allegedly targeting the leadership of the rebellion and key political figures, including General Sultani Makenga, Bertrand Bisimwa, and Freddy Kaniki. He affirmed the rebellion’s commitment to protecting civilians in areas under its control and warned that any escalation would be the responsibility of Kinshasa. International Reactions Belgium :Maxime Patrick Robert Albert Prévot, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, condemned the attacks as a violation of the ceasefire, emphasizing that such strikes against humanitarian workers are rising. “The drone attack in Goma claimed the lives of a humanitarian worker and civilians. The guns must fall silent. Let’s negotiate,” he said on X, offering condolences to the victims’ families. European Union : Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, responsible for Crisis Preparedness and Equality, called for respect for international humanitarian law and protection of humanitarian personnel. “All parties must respect their commitments. Humanitarian workers must never be targeted,” she warned. France :President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the death of the French UNICEF aid worker and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law. “These aid workers are committed to saving lives in a precarious and dangerous environment,” he said, offering condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of the deceased. United Nations : The UN mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) strongly condemned the escalation, describing the attacks as deeply concerning and reiterating that targeting UN personnel could constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute. Bruno Lemarquis, Acting Head of MONUSCO, called for a swift, independent investigation into the drone strikes and urged both parties to prioritize political dialogue to protect civilians. International Contact Group (ICG) : Earlier, on March 5, members of the ICG, including Belgium, Denmark, the EU, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA, had expressed concern over ceasefire violations in eastern DRC, highlighting the use of drones in military operations that endanger civilians. They stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict and called for urgent negotiations. Context The strikes come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including the Washington and Doha processes, supported by the African Union. Despite these initiatives, tensions remain high between Kinshasa and Kigali, as well as between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23, limiting progress on the ground. The attacks also reignite concern over humanitarian security, as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) had recorded a decrease in incidents affecting aid workers in January 2026, but the Goma attack demonstrates that risks remain severe.