The conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has reached a new symbolic milestone. Willy Ngoma , the emblematic military spokesperson for the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, was killed early Tuesday morning, February 24, 2025. The information, confirmed by rebel officials, specifies that the attack took place near the mining town of Rubaya , in the Masisi territory.

Elimination via air

The exact circumstances remain to be established, but initial reports point to a drone strike that targeted his convoy.

1. Location: The Rubaya area, strategic for its coltan deposits.
2. Context: An intensification of FARDC air operations has been reported for the past 48 hours in North and South Kivu.
3. Summary: Besides Willy Ngoma, several other leaders of the movement are believed to have died in the attack, including allied figures such as Élisée Mberabagabo (alias Castro) and Michel Rukunda (alias Makanika).

The media face of the rebellion

Willy Ngoma was not a shadowy officer. A true strategist of wartime communication, he had established himself as the face of the occupation :

1. Staged scenes: He made numerous videos in camouflage fatigues in conquered areas to taunt the regular army.
2. Psychological warfare: Fluent in Swahili and Lingala, he alternated between engaging in speeches with the local population and filming the humiliations of captured soldiers.
3. Past survival: He had recently escaped an assassination attempt during two explosions in Bukavu earlier this year.

A profile marked by international sanctions

Considered a key player in regional instability, Willy Ngoma was subject to heavy sanctions:

1. United States (2023): Targeted for serious human rights violations, including the massacres of civilians in Kishishe in 2022.
2. European Union (2022): Sanctioned for its leading role in a Rwanda-backed movement, directly contributing to insecurity in the DRC.

The stakes: The loss of this framework, both operational and media-related, constitutes a major setback for AFC/M23 at a time when the group is trying to consolidate its positions on strategic mining axes.