Drones Strike Goma, Killing Aid Worker and Heightening East Congo Tension
A sudden drone strike on the city of Goma in eastern Congo resulted in three fatalities, including a French aid worker. This incident marks the first drone strike in Goma since rebels from the AFC/M23 group seized control last year.
Rebel Accusation:
Rebel fighters blamed the Congolese army for launching the drones, alleging that they targeted a crowded area by Lake Kivu.Victim Details:
UNICEF confirmed that one of its staff, a French national, was among the casualties.International Response:
French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib publicly denounced the attack, urging adherence to humanitarian law.
Government Stance:
The Congolese army declined to comment, and government officials did not respond immediately.Eyewitness Accounts:
Witnesses in Goma heard two loud explosions early in the morning, followed by ambulance sirens.
A rebel official noted that a drone hit a house rented by UNICEF staff near a former president’s residence, while another drone struck a rebel coordinator’s home but fell into the lake.Broader Context:
These events follow weeks of escalating drone use by both sides, including attacks on a rebel commander and on an airport in Kisangani. Fighting continues across eastern Congo despite mediation efforts by Qatar and the U.S..
