AFC/M23 mourns Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma killed in Drone Strike in Rubaya
The armed group AFC/M23 has paid tribute to Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma, its former military spokesperson, describing him as a heroic officer whose legacy will endure within the movement.
In a message published on his official X account, Benjamin Mbonimpa, the permanent secretary of AFC/M23, praised the late officer in emotional terms. “Heroes never die. They are our beloved ones. You were a heroic officer and a humble man. We will continue to remember you in our hearts. Greet our heroes and our brothers who are there,” Mbonimpa wrote.
Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma was killed in the early hours of Tuesday, February 24, during a drone strike in Rubaya, a strategic mining area in Masisi territory, North Kivu province. The strike was reportedly carried out by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).
Rubaya has in recent months remained a focal point of fighting between AFC/M23 rebels and Congolese government forces, often backed by pro-government militia groups known as Wazalendo.
As of now, AFC/M23 has not released detailed information regarding the circumstances surrounding Ngoma’s death. However, sources indicate that at least nine people were killed in the strike, which has been claimed by Congolese government forces and allied Wazalendo fighters.
Ngoma had been one of the most visible figures within AFC/M23, regularly addressing media and issuing statements on behalf of the group during the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
