After Ngoma’s Killing, M23 Governor Erasto Urges Youth to Enlist, Says Fight Will Go On

Erasto Bahati

GOMA – Colonel Bahati Musanga Erasto, the M23-appointed parallel governor of North Kivu, has urged young people in rebel-held areas to enlist in the movement’s ranks, declaring that the fight would continue despite the recent killing of military spokesperson Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma.

Speaking in Ishasha days after Ngoma’s death, Erasto framed the conflict as a generational struggle and called on families to support recruitment into the March 23 Movement.

“We don’t say that we can win this war because we are the strongest, no; we say so because we are fighting for justice,” Erasto told residents gathered at a public address on Thursday.

Referring to President Félix Tshisekedi, he accused the government of violence against communities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Today, Tshisekedi is murdering our people, day and night he spills blood; he’s trampled on us, killed Commander ‘Bernard’ and many others; but that doesn’t mean that he’s killed the cause,” Erasto said.

“The cause remains and in the end we shall attain that which we fight for.”

The speech signals an effort by M23’s leadership to maintain morale and replenish its ranks following Ngoma’s killing, as fighting continues to reshape control of territory in North Kivu.

Ngoma was killed earlier this week in Masisi territory in what rebel sources described as a targeted drone strike. According to multiple accounts, he had left a late-night meeting at a farmhouse with other senior M23 figures when a combat drone struck his convoy around 3:00 a.m., destroying the vehicles and killing 19 occupants, including members of his security detail.

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The rebels blamed the Congolese army for the strike, while there was no immediate official comment from Kinshasa.

Call for Youth to Join

Erasto directly appealed to families in Ishasha to allow young adults to join the rebel force.

“People of Ishasha, if we want peace, you must contribute to that peace. You must encourage our young boys and girls to join our army,” he said.

“Let us build a disciplined army, an army that knows and respects the population. You have just said that our army protects you well.”

He said those aged 18 and above who are willing to enlist should report to local officials and would be transferred to Rutshuru for training.

“Young people who are ready can report to the officials here. They will be taken to Rutshuru to be trained in our army committed to changing the country,” Erasto said.

He suggested that even if the movement does not immediately achieve its broader political objectives, the struggle would continue.

“It doesn’t matter if we don’t succeed in capturing this nation; but the children we bear shall capture it,” he said. “Where he spills blood or not, he will not stop the journey we are on. We shall cross the line with God on our side.”

There was no immediate response from the Congolese government to Erasto’s remarks. Kinshasa has repeatedly described M23 as an armed group seeking to destabilise the country and says military operations are aimed at restoring state authority in eastern Congo.