Willy Ngoma, the military spokesperson for the M23 rebel group, was reportedly killed in a drone strike carried out by the Congolese army in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The reported killing marks a significant development in the protracted conflict that has destabilized the country’s mineral-rich east for more than a decade.
Ngoma had served as one of the most significant figures within the March 23 Movement, commonly known as M23, acting as both a spokesperson and senior military commander.
The group, which re-emerged in late 2021 after years of relative dormancy, has since seized territory in North Kivu province, including strategic towns near the border with Rwanda and Uganda.
M23 was originally formed in 2012 by former members of the Congolese army who mutinied, accusing the government of failing to honor a March 23, 2009 peace agreement; the date from which the group derives its name.
The rebellion escalated, and in November 2012, M23 fighters briefly captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, drawing international condemnation.
Under military pressure from the Congolese army and United Nations intervention, the group was defeated in 2013, with many of its fighters fleeing into neighboring countries.
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Nearly a decade later, the movement resurfaced, launching coordinated offensives that reignited violence across eastern Congo. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the rebels, though Kigali has denied direct involvement.
The resurgence of M23 deepened regional tensions, and complex diplomatic efforts led by the East African Community and the African Union to broker a ceasefire.
In recent months, fighting intensified despite multiple ceasefire announcements. The Congolese army has increasingly relied on aerial surveillance and drone strikes to target rebel positions, signaling a shift in tactics aimed at weakening M23’s command structure.
The reported strike that killed Ngoma is seen as part of that strategy, targeting senior command to disrupt coordination and morale within the group.
Eastern Congo has long been plagued by armed groups competing for territory and access to lucrative mineral resources such as coltan, gold, and tin.
Ngoma’s death could mark a turning point in the long conflict, potentially prompting retaliation from M23 or increased efforts to dismantle its leadership.
