The conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) escalated significantly this week as the AFC/M23 rebel coalition claimed responsibility for destroying a government military drone command center at Kisangani International Airport.
The strike, which the rebels described as a “defensive move,” reportedly occurred between January 31 and February 1. The claim comes just hours after delegations from both sides met in Doha, Qatar, to sign an agreement on a ceasefire monitoring mechanism, highlighting the volatility of the peace process.
Targeting the Air War In a statement issued Tuesday, February 3, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)—a political-military coalition that includes the M23 rebel group—stated they targeted the facility because it served as the central hub for planning and executing drone strikes.
According to the rebels, the command center was directing aerial bombardments against their positions and civilian populations in a wide swath of territory including Masisi, Walikale, Rutshuru, Lubero, Kalehe, Mwenga, and Minembwe.
“The AFC/M23 will never stand idly by while innocent civilians are systematically targeted,” said Lawrance Kanyuka, the group’s political spokesperson.
Bertrand Bisiimwa, the AFC/M23 deputy coordinator, reinforced this stance on social media, warning that “if such a threat persists against the liberated territory, these instruments of death will be destroyed from their respective bases.”
The “Red Line” Over Kisangani The targeting of Kisangani marks a significant geographic and strategic expansion of the conflict. Located deep within the country’s interior, Kisangani is a key logistics hub for the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC).
Corneille Nangaa, the coordinator of the AFC and former head of DRC’s electoral commission, declared a “red line” regarding the airport. Nangaa accused the Congolese army and its allies—which include the Kinshasa-backed FDLR militia, Burundian troops, foreign mercenaries, and local “Wazalendo” militias—of using the base to project air power into the eastern provinces.
Nangaa further alleged that recent government operations in the high plateaus of South Kivu were conducted under an enforced internet blackout, designed to “isolate affected communities and conceal the scale of the humanitarian situation.”
Diplomatic Paradox The attack underscores the disconnect between the battlefield and the negotiating table. The strike occurred nearly simultaneously with a diplomatic breakthrough in Doha, where representatives agreed on a mandate to operationalize a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism.
While the rebels insist they remain open to political dialogue, they have placed the responsibility for the escalation on Kinshasa, citing “imminent genocide” against the Banyamulenge and other communities as justification for their preemptive strikes.
Context: A Complex War The M23 (March 23 Movement) resurged in late 2021, seizing large territories in North Kivu. In late 2023, they joined forces with Corneille Nangaa to form the AFC, aiming to broaden the movement’s political appeal beyond its traditional base.
The Congolese government, led by President Félix Tshisekedi, has refused direct negotiations with the group, labeling them “terrorists” backed by neighboring Rwanda—a charge Kigali denies. Instead, Kinshasa has relied on a coalition of SADC forces, private military contractors, and local armed groups (Wazalendo) to hold the line. The introduction of combat drones by the FARDC had recently shifted the tactical balance, prompting this specific counter-attack by the rebels.
