Willy Ngoma, military spokesperson for the M23 rebel movement, was killed in an army drone strike in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to diplomatic and rebel sources.
The strike reportedly occurred near Rubaya in North Kivu at around 3 a.m., following days of sustained drone operations by Congolese forces. Rubaya is a key coltan-mining hub, producing a significant share of the world’s supply and serving as a major financial base for M23.
Ngoma’s death comes as ceasefire efforts mediated by Qatar continue. Kinshasa and M23 recently signed agreements in Doha to establish a joint ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, with Qatar, the United States and the African Union acting as observers.
M23 controls large areas of North and South Kivu provinces after a rapid offensive last year that saw the group seize strategic cities including Goma and Bukavu.
Congolese authorities have not officially commented on the reported strike.
SOURCE : TRT AFRICA
