The army of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) announced that it carried out strikes in the center of Rubaya, in the eastern part of the country, on Tuesday, “eliminating” Willy Ngoma, spokesperson for the M23 movement.
This news dominated headlines the day before yesterday, February 24, 2025. In this article, we revisit the origins of Willy Ngoma: his background, his entry into military life, his rise within M23, and how his actions and high visibility led to international sanctions.
(1) Born in Kinigi, Ruhengeri, Rwanda
Lieutenant Colonel Willy Ngoma was born in 1974 in Kinigi, northern Rwanda. He came from a family of seven children and was the third-born. His father was a civil servant under the presidencies of Grégoire Kayibanda and Juvénal Habyarimana, while his mother was a housewife.
His life changed dramatically in 1986 when his father died, the family’s main provider.
At the age of 12, he was taken by a relative living in Kiwanja, North Kivu (DRC), where he grew up under the regime of Mobutu Sese Seko. Upon arrival, he adopted the name Ngarurira Ingoma Rutikanga.
He left Kinigi while in the 5th year of primary school and continued his studies in Congo at Camp Ebeya School in Mbanza-Ngungu, where he was nicknamed “Pap.” A bright and sociable student, he was driven by the hardships of his youth.
He later pursued secondary studies in social and human sciences, followed by two years at the Higher Institute of Mbanza-Ngungu studying history and geography.
After completing his studies, he became a history and geography teacher.
(2) Active UDPS militant of Tshisekedi
Willy Ngoma claimed to have been an influential member of the UDPS led by Étienne Tshisekedi. He notably presented a photo taken with Rubens Mikindo, former Minister of Hydrocarbons and party official, at the Grands-Lacs Hotel in Goma.
“We returned from South Africa in 2002 with Étienne Tshisekedi. We organized the armed branch of the UDPS and concluded an agreement with the RCD movement.” — Willy Ngoma
(3) From professor to rebel
He witnessed all the wars in Congo, including the 1996–1997 conflict led by the AFDL—supported by Rwanda and Uganda—which brought Laurent-Désiré Kabila to power, as well as conflicts involving the RCD-Goma and the CNDP.
On March 23, 2009, these rebel groups signed a peace agreement with the government led by Joseph Kabila. The CNDP was dissolved and transformed into a political party that joined the Alliance for the Presidential Majority (AMP).
In 2012, former CNDP members within the national army and ruling coalition left, accusing the government of failing to implement the March 23, 2009 agreement. They then founded the March 23 Movement (M23).
Willy Ngoma joined the movement at its creation in 2012 under the command of Sultani Makenga. Known for his discipline, integrity, and competence, he was quickly promoted.
In 2013, M23 was defeated by a coalition of FARDC troops, Tanzanian and South African forces, supported by MONUSCO’s Force Intervention Brigade. Survivors fled to Rwanda and Uganda. Makenga and Ngoma took refuge in Uganda, where Ngoma learned English and changed his identity, claiming to have been born at Camp Kokolo in Kinshasa.
“I have been in M23 since its creation in 2012… In 2013 we were hosted at the Bihanga military base in Uganda. On January 14, 2017, we entered the Sarambwe forest in the DRC.” — Willy Ngoma
(4) Resurgence of M23 and Ngoma’s rise
After nearly ten years of reorganization, the renewed M23 launched major offensives in late 2021, especially in early 2022. Ngoma stood out as an experienced fighter thanks to his historical and military knowledge.
He was appointed M23 military spokesperson with the rank of Major, then promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in early 2024.
Highly visible in the media, he claimed the movement defended the rights of Congolese citizens, particularly marginalized Kinyarwanda-speaking communities.
Although born in Rwanda, he spoke Kinyarwanda poorly, but was fluent in French, English, Lingala, and Swahili.
Following his promotion, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on him, including asset freezes in Europe and the United States and a travel ban.
The UN document accused him of:
Killings
Kidnappings
Theft
Recruitment of child soldiers
Sexual violence and incitement to rape
Fraud
Illegal exploitation of minerals
Illegal taxation of civilians
Distribution of weapons to civilians
Serving as spokesperson for a group responsible for violence against civilians
Asked by the BBC, Ngoma stated:
“This does not concern us. We are the people’s army; we fight so that Congolese people can live better.”
(6) His wife and children
Lieutenant Colonel Willy Ngoma was married and father of four children. His private life remained largely out of the public eye, but he was known to be devoted to his family and actively involved in his children’s upbringing.
(7) “Quickly, quickly, quickly” — a phrase he became known for
Willy Ngoma (left) shakes hands with Brigadier General Emmanuel Kaputa of the FARDC in December 2022, when M23 handed over the Kibumba area to forces deployed by the East African Community (EAC), tasked with interposing between the warring parties to facilitate a political solution.
After the capture of Goma in late January, a video showed Ngoma ordering captured Western mercenaries to kneel and move in line while repeating, “Quickly, quickly, quickly… Move, move.”
The scene was widely perceived as humiliating for the Congolese army and its allies.
Another video showed him joking with South African SADC soldiers who had been surrounded at Goma airport before being repatriated.
As rumors of his death circulated, the Congolese Ministry of Defense released a photo accompanied by a slogan describing the FARDC as “the army of pride.”
While Ngoma told the BBC he was fighting for “a better Congo,” the government army spokesperson stated that their objective remained to retake all territories occupied by M23 and restore state authority.
Will the death of the M23 spokesperson mark the beginning of the movement’s end—or instead fuel further escalation? Only time will tell.
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2 thoughts on “Lt.Col Willy Ngoma: His Life Story, Education, Family, and Activities”
born in ruhengeri!? sure!!!!!
My age maid.He sacrifice for his people.strong soldier