African Union condemns deadly drone strike in Goma, urges protection of civilians
The African Union has voiced alarm after a drone strike, killed civilians, including a humanitarian worker, and damaged homes in the eastern region of Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In a statement released on Thursday 12, March, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, expressed deep concern over the attack, which occurred in North Kivu Province’s Goma city on 11 March, an area already strained by months of fighting and displacement.
The strike has drawn particular attention because it claimed the life of a humanitarian worker and struck residential neighbourhoods, highlighting the growing security threats facing civilians and aid personnel caught in the conflict.
Youssouf condemned attacks that place civilian lives at risk and stressed that humanitarian workers must be protected at all times under international humanitarian law.
“The loss of civilian life, including that of a humanitarian worker, is deeply troubling,” the statement said, warning that violence targeting populated areas threatens to deepen an already fragile humanitarian situation.
The African Union also urged all parties involved in the conflict to show restraint and avoid steps that could further inflame tensions in the volatile eastern provinces.
For communities in and around Goma, the violence adds to an atmosphere of uncertainty that has gripped the region as clashes and military operations intensify.
The continental body called for a clearer understanding of what happened during the strike and supported the need for an impartial investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
At the same time, the African Union reiterated the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions and restoring stability in eastern Congo. Officials stressed that ceasefire arrangements and mediation initiatives remain essential to preventing further suffering among civilians.
The organisation said it remains committed to working alongside the Congolese government, regional actors and international partners to help reduce violence and encourage a political path toward peace.
As the situation unfolds, the African Union’s message underscores a growing concern shared by many humanitarian organisations that civilians continue to bear the brunt of a conflict that shows few signs of easing.
