Overview:
M23 says it aims to fight corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination in the DRC’s political leadership. In early 2025, the group launched a rapid offensive across eastern Congo, seizing several towns and raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Bangboka International Airport in Kisangani came under attack on Sunday as hostilities escalated in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with Kamikaze drones carrying cluster ammunition targeting the facility. Paulin Lendongolia Lebabonga, Governor of Tshopo Province, said M23/Alliance River Congo (M23/AFC) rebels and allied forces launched the assault from more than 1,000 kilometres away at around 2:00 a.m. local time on March 1, 2026.
Four of the attack drones were intercepted over Bangboka, Lebabonga said. The first was shot down at 3:48 p.m., the second at 5:30 p.m., the third at 7:30 p.m., and the last at 7:48 p.m., while a civilian aircraft from Compagnie Africaine d’Aviation (CAA) was already approaching the runway at 7:45 p.m. Lendabonga condemned the attack but urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of military operations.
He thanked President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo for equipping Kisangani with an advanced air defense system, and FARDC soldiers for their professionalism in responding to the threat. M23/AFC initially did not comment, marking the second drone attack on the airport within a month. On January 31, FARDC said it had destroyed four armed drones about ten kilometres from the airport, while a fifth drone landed near the runway without causing damage.
Later, M23/AFC spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the drones destroyed a government army command centre used to plan operations against both civilians and M23 positions in Masisi, Walikale, Rutshuru, Lubero, Kalehe, Mwenga, and Minembwe.
The group warned the government to choose peace and respect the ceasefire, adding that failure to do so would place full responsibility for the consequences on state authorities. Despite the M23/AFC claim, FARDC forces and coalition partners continued to use drones on the frontlines.
A strike on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, killed Lieutenant Colonel Willy Ngoma, the rebels’ military spokesperson, at his residence at Kasuku Farm in the coltan-mining town of Rubaya, Masisi territory, North Kivu. Recent fighting saw government forces reclaim several localities—including Mikenge, Kakenge, Kasirita, Bilalombila, and Bidegu1 in the highlands of Minembwe, South Kivu—recovering weapons, ammunition, and capturing rebel fighters, according to Lieutenant Reagan Mbuyi Kalonji, FARDC spokesperson for Operation Sukola 2 South.
Meanwhile, M23/AFC recaptured Katoyi Centre in Masisi territory on Sunday evening. The renewed clashes cast doubt on the ongoing peace talks in Doha, Qatar, and raise questions about whether they can produce a lasting ceasefire. Since resurfacing in 2022 under leaders Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, M23/AFC has repeatedly accused the Congolese government of violating ceasefires, while the government has accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels—allegations denied by both Kigali and M23.
M23 says it aims to fight corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination in the DRC’s political leadership. In early 2025, the group launched a rapid offensive across eastern Congo, seizing several towns and raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
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