Heavy fighting between the Democratic Republic of Congo’s state army and AFC/M23 rebels has escalated in Rubaya, North Kivu, leaving M23 military spokesperson Willy Ngoma dead.
According to fresh reports, Ngoma was killed in a drone strike launched by government forces on Tuesday at around 3 a.m.
Also read: AFC/M23 Condemns Kinshasa Regime over Massacre in Minembwe
A senior rebel official confirmed the killing to Reuters, although no official communiqué has been issued by the group. Sources close to Kivu Post also confirmed Ngoma’s death.
AFC/ M23 controls large swathes of North and South Kivu provinces following a rapid advance that saw the group seize the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu.
The drone strike in Rubaya follows several similar attacks reported in South Kivu, killing civilians in Minembwe, Mikenge, Karingi, and across the Hauts Plateaux as AFC/M23 Deputy Coordinator Bertrand Bisimwa stated.
Rubaya is a strategic coltan-mining hub—one of the world’s richest tantalum deposits—located in Masisi territory, North Kivu province, an area making a key financial stronghold for the M23 rebels.
Also read: M23 slams Kinshasa over Rubaya mine offer to US
Meanwhile, AFC/M23 accuses the Kinshasa government of violating the ceasefire agreement, “once again”, launching “a full-scale war across all front lines and beyond.”
“These criminal attacks, which are still ongoing, unequivocally demonstrate the Kinshasa regime’s intent to sow terror, chaos, and death among the civilian population,” said Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson of AFC/M23 rebels.
Also read: Kanyuka: Kinshasa’s drone strikes continue in violation of ceasefire
He added: “This Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at precisely 7:00 a.m., its coalition forces launched deliberate attacks against densely populated areas of Kitendebwa, Kashihe, and Kiduveri in Kalehe territory. These attacks, which are still ongoing, demonstrate the regime’s intent to sow terror and chaos among the civilian population.”
Kinshasa regime has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
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