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On Thursday, January 8, the AFC/M23 rebels honored and paid respect to “innocent civilians who were cowardly killed” during a series of drone attacks in Masisi Territory, North Kivu Province, earlier this month. A ceremony to honor the victims took place at Stade de l’Unité, the main stadium in Goma, the provincial capital, before their burial in Mubambiro, located in Masisi Territory. ALSO READ: Masisi drone strike attributed to MONUSCO as the death toll increases to 10. The first drone attack happened on January 2 in Masisi Centre, the administrative center of Masisi Territory, killing six people and injuring 41 others. Goma, January 8, 2026 Today, we pay tribute to the innocent civilians who were brutally murdered due to the blind bombings carried out by the bloodthirsty Kinshasa regime’s allied forces. We bow in solemn respect to the memory of the victims and…https://t.co/WRbBnx6Pqdpic.twitter.com/TuhdiZBvCy — Lawrence KANYUKA (@LawrenceKanyuka) January 8, 2026 The rebel faction blamed Kinshasa’s military alliance—which includes significant numbers of Congolese army forces (FARDC), Burundian soldiers, Congolese militias referred to as Wazalendo, the genocidal FDLR militia supported by Kishasa, and foreign mercenaries from Latin America and Europe—for conducting the assaults. ALSO READ: AFC/M23’s Bertrand Bisimwa details the reasons behind rebels capturing Uvira in a rapid offensive In total, 22 civilians lost their lives while 50 were injured across different areas of Masisi Territory due to drone strikes in recent days. ALSO READ: Minister criticizes MONUSCO for ‘mild’ response to deadly Masisi drone attack In a message on X, rebel representative Lawrence Kanyuka stated: “We stand in solemn respect for the memory of the victims and extend our deepest sympathy to the families who have suffered greatly. These abhorrent acts will not be overlooked or downplayed. The AFC/M23 reiterates its strong dedication to safeguarding civilian populations and upholding their basic right to life, safety, and dignity.”

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