The United States has condemned a drone strike that targeted civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, urging all parties involved in the conflict to respect ceasefire commitments and protect civilians as well as humanitarian personnel.
In a statement posted on X by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, Washington expressed deep concern over the use of drone strikes in densely populated urban areas.
“Wednesday’s drone strike in Goma killed a United Nations staff member and two civilians, adding to the tragic loss of life in eastern DRC,” the statement said.
“We extend our condolences to their families and colleagues and call on all parties to the conflict to protect humanitarian and United Nations personnel. Attacks targeting civilians are unacceptable.”
The United States also called on all actors involved in the conflict — including the government in Kinshasa and the Alliance Fleuve Congo–M23 — to honour their commitments to a ceasefire.
Preliminary information released by the AFC/M23 coalition indicates that three people were confirmed killed in the strike, including a French national working for the UNICEF.
Following the incident, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced it would launch an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the drone attack in Goma.
However, some observers have questioned the credibility of the probe, citing reports from residents in Goma suggesting that the drone strike may have been carried out by Congolese government forces targeting leaders of the AFC/M23 coalition.
The incident has once again highlighted the intensity of fighting between Congolese government forces and the AFC/M23 coalition. Both sides have repeatedly accused each other of carrying out attacks against civilians.
The attack has also renewed concerns over the safety of humanitarian workers operating in eastern DRC.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, several attacks targeting aid workers were reported in the region in January 2026.
Prior to the Goma strike, on March 5, 2026, a group of countries — including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States, together with the European Union, issued a joint statement expressing serious concern over violations of the ceasefire agreement in eastern DRC.
