Rebels accuse DR Congo government of drone strike in Goma

The M23 rebel group accused the Democratic Republic of Congo government of carrying out a drone strike that killed several people in its own eastern city of Goma on 11 March, Africanews reported.

The attack occurred around 04:00 local time in the city of Goma, which is controlled by the M23 rebel group.

According to the rebels, the drone hit a residential building in a neighbourhood near Lake Kivu. The group said the building was being used by United Nations personnel and that civilians were among those killed.

Residents reported hearing explosions and seeing damage to a house following the drone strike. UN peacekeepers were deployed to secure the area following the attack.

The rebel movement said the strike caused panic among people living in the area. It accused the government in Kinshasa of targeting civilians and violating a ceasefire agreement.

AFC-M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka said drones belonging to the Congolese army were responsible for the strike. He said the attack formed part of what he described as continued violations of the ceasefire by government forces.

The drone strike comes amid ongoing fighting between the Congolese army and M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo’s North Kivu. The rebels control several areas in the province, including the city of Goma.

Both sides have accused each other of violating ceasefire arrangements. Earlier efforts to reduce tensions included talks aimed at establishing a mechanism to monitor and verify the truce. Regional leaders have previously attempted to mediate between the government and the rebels.

The conflict in eastern DR Congo involves numerous armed groups competing for control of territory in the mineral-rich region. Fighting has displaced millions of people and drawn regional attention due to accusations that neighbouring Rwanda supports the M23 movement, a claim Kigali denies.

Authorities in Kinshasa have not yet responded to the accusations.

Africanews, Maghrebi.org