AU warns M23 drone strike on DR Congo airport may constitute 'terrorism'

The African Union says that a drone attack this week by the M23 rebel group on a civilian airport in DR Congo may constitute an "act of terrorism".

The M23 rebel group claimed responsibility for the attack last weekend on the airport in Kisangani in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which is also used by government forces.

The African Union, in a Friday statement on X, said the "attack, directed against an airport infrastructure located in a major urban centre and gravely endangering civilian populations, constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law".

The rebel group had previously not carried out strikes this far from territory under its control.

Conflict escalation

"This attack may amount to an act of terrorism," the AU added.

The attack marked an escalation in the conflict in eastern DRC, where the M23 has seized swathes of territory since early 2025.

M23 said it destroyed "the military drone command centre installed at Kisangani airport".

Qatar has been mediating between the Congolese government and the M23 for several months, and a commitment towards a ceasefire was signed in July.

In a parallel effort, the DRC and Rwanda formalised a US-brokered peace deal in December in Washington.

The United Nations said this week it will send a mission to the volatile region to help enforce a ceasefire.