By Spy Uganda
A French aid worker with the UN children’s agency UNICEF was killed in an overnight drone strike in Goma, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) currently under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 militia. Humanitarian sources confirmed that the strike also killed two civilians, though the origin of the attack remains unclear.
The deceased, identified as Karine Buisset, was staying in Himbi, a residential neighbourhood of Goma where many expatriates and humanitarian staff live. Witnesses described hearing multiple explosions and the buzzing of drones as buildings were hit. Firefighters, United Nations personnel, and M23 officials responded to the scene, which was left partially burnt and severely damaged. Security sources said the strike may have been intended for M23 officials or allies, and Buisset’s death appears to have been unintentional.
The incident comes amid renewed fighting in eastern DRC. Since 2021, the M23 has seized large areas of the mineral-rich region with alleged backing from Rwanda, despite a peace deal brokered between Rwanda and the DRC in December. Both the Congolese army and the M23 are known to use drones in the conflict, with civilians often caught in the crossfire.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed condolences on X, emphasizing the need to respect humanitarian law, while UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell called the killing “devastating and outrageous,” stressing that aid workers and civilians must never be targeted. An M23 spokesman accused the Congolese authorities of carrying out the strike, but Kinshasa has not issued an official statement.
The eastern DRC has long been plagued by violence over control of its rich mineral deposits, including coltan, vital for mobile phones and electric vehicle batteries. UN experts say the M23 is used by Rwanda to exert influence over these resources, a claim Rwanda denies, citing security threats from armed groups linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The United States recently imposed sanctions on the Rwandan army over its alleged support for the militia.
For decades, repeated ceasefires have failed to bring lasting peace to the region, leaving civilians and humanitarian workers vulnerable as clashes continue. The death of Buisset underscores the heightened risks faced by aid personnel operating in conflict zones.
