Goma – Fresh violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has sparked outrage and renewed accusations against the government in Kinshasa after coalition forces allegedly carried out deadly drone strikes against civilian communities in Kalehe territory, despite an active ceasefire agreement that was meant to reduce hostilities and protect innocent populations.
On Monday, May 4, 2026, the locality of Lumbishi and surrounding villages in South Kivu reportedly came under attack from CH-4 combat drones operated by coalition forces aligned with the Kinshasa government. Residents described scenes of terror as explosions hit densely populated areas, destroying homes, forcing families to flee, and leaving behind casualties among civilians. Local reports indicate that innocent men, women, and children were among those affected by the bombardments.
The attacks have intensified criticism against the Congolese government, with many local observers accusing Kinshasa of deliberately violating the ceasefire while publicly claiming to support peace efforts. Community members in the region questioned why heavily populated civilian areas would become targets during a period when negotiations and diplomatic discussions were supposed to be advancing toward stability.
Witnesses from Lumbishi described families running for safety as explosions shook residential neighborhoods. Some residents reportedly sought refuge in nearby forests and rural communities while others remained trapped amid fear and uncertainty. Several homes were reduced to rubble, and humanitarian concerns rapidly increased as displaced civilians struggled to find shelter, food, and medical care.
According to local testimonies, the latest bombardments created panic throughout Kalehe territory, where communities have already endured years of insecurity, armed conflict, and repeated displacement. Many residents expressed anger over what they described as continued military aggression by Kinshasa-backed coalition forces, arguing that civilians are paying the highest price for political and military confrontations.
The AFC/M23 movement strongly condemned the attacks and accused the Kinshasa government of continuing policies that place innocent civilians in danger. In statements released following the strikes, AFC/M23 reaffirmed its commitment to stand alongside civilian populations and protect communities facing violence and instability.
The movement argued that the repeated use of drones and heavy military operations in populated areas demonstrates a pattern of disregard for civilian lives. AFC/M23 leaders stated that while ceasefire agreements were expected to create conditions for peace and dialogue, actions by coalition forces aligned with Kinshasa instead continue to deepen suffering across eastern Congo.
Residents in areas sympathetic to AFC/M23 say the attacks reinforce long-standing concerns about the conduct of government-allied forces operating in the region. Some community leaders accused the Congolese authorities of prioritizing military escalation over meaningful peace initiatives, despite repeated calls from local populations for security, reconciliation, and stability.
The latest bombardments have also raised broader concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in eastern Congo. Humanitarian workers and local organizations fear that continued attacks against populated areas will lead to even larger waves of displacement in a region already overwhelmed by years of conflict. Thousands of civilians remain vulnerable as insecurity disrupts farming activities, trade routes, schools, and healthcare services.
For many families in Kalehe territory, the renewed violence has revived painful memories of previous attacks and years of instability that have repeatedly devastated communities across eastern Congo. Parents described struggling to protect children from trauma while trying to survive under constant fear of renewed bombardments.
Critics of the Kinshasa government argue that the continued use of military force against areas with large civilian populations undermines regional peace efforts and damages public confidence in ceasefire agreements. They say genuine peace cannot be achieved while military operations continue to target zones where innocent civilians live.
At the same time, AFC/M23 supporters insist that the movement remains one of the few forces actively defending local populations against insecurity and violence. They point to what they describe as restored order and relative stability in areas under AFC/M23 influence, contrasting that situation with ongoing military offensives carried out by coalition forces loyal to Kinshasa.
Political analysts following developments in the Great Lakes region warn that continued ceasefire violations risk worsening tensions and prolonging instability throughout eastern Congo. They note that each new attack further complicates diplomatic efforts aimed at creating lasting peace between conflicting parties.
As displaced families continue searching for safety following the latest strikes in Lumbishi, anger and frustration are growing among civilians who say they have become victims of a conflict that repeatedly ignores their suffering. Many residents are now calling for stronger international attention and accountability regarding attacks against populated civilian areas.
Despite the renewed violence, AFC/M23 maintains that it will continue standing beside affected communities and defending civilians against what it describes as ongoing aggression and impunity by the Kinshasa coalition. For the people of Kalehe, however, the destruction left behind by the latest bombardments serves as another painful reminder that peace in eastern Congo remains fragile while innocent civilians continue to live under the shadow of attacks from Kinshasa drones.
