Goma Residents Protest Drone Strike, Call on AFC/M23 to “Liberate” DR Congo

Goma, March 12, 2026 - Residents of Goma took to the streets on Thursday to protest a recent drone strike attributed to the army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, condemning the attack and calling on the AFC/M23 coalition to expand its control across the country. The demonstration followed a drone strike carried out on March 11 in the Himbi neighborhood, where at least three civilians were killed, including Karine Buisset, a French national working for the UNICEF. Local residents reported that drones targeted residential areas, sparking outrage among the population. Responding to a call from civil society groups, demonstrators gathered in large numbers, halting daily activities to denounce what they described as indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas in North and South Kivu. Protesters also expressed condolences to the families of those killed. The AFC/M23 coalition condemned the strike, accusing the Congolese government of violating the ceasefire agreement reached in Doha, Qatar, and criticized the international community for what it described as silence in the face of escalating violence. Some demonstrators accused President Félix Tshisekedi of pursuing military actions at the expense of civilian lives, alleging that ongoing operations reflect a determination to maintain power despite the human cost. According to AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, protesters called on the group to “remove Félix Tshisekedi from the entire country,” arguing that areas under government control have become centers of insecurity and violence. Goma has been under the control of AFC/M23 since January 2025. The latest strike marks the first reported drone attack in the city in more than a year, heightening tensions in a region already affected by prolonged conflict.

Faits rapportés

Goma, March 12, 2026 - Residents of Goma took to the streets on Thursday to protest a recent drone strike attributed to the army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, condemning the attack and calling on the AFC/M23 coalition to expand its control across the country. The demonstration followed a drone strike carried out on March 11 in the Himbi neighborhood, where at least three civilians were killed, including Karine Buisset, a French national working for the UNICEF. Local residents reported that drones targeted residential areas, sparking outrage among the population. Responding to a call from civil society groups, demonstrators gathered in large numbers, halting daily activities to denounce what they described as indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas in North and South Kivu. Protesters also expressed condolences to the families of those killed. The AFC/M23 coalition condemned the strike, accusing the Congolese government of violating the ceasefire agreement reached in Doha, Qatar, and criticized the international community for what it described as silence in the face of escalating violence. Some demonstrators accused President Félix Tshisekedi of pursuing military actions at the expense of civilian lives, alleging that ongoing operations reflect a determination to maintain power despite the human cost. According to AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, protesters called on the group to “remove Félix Tshisekedi from the entire country,” arguing that areas under government control have become centers of insecurity and violence. Goma has been under the control of AFC/M23 since January 2025. The latest strike marks the first reported drone attack in the city in more than a year, heightening tensions in a region already affected by prolonged conflict.