A coalition of armed groups known as , part of the Wazalendo militias backed by the government of , has expelled Member of Parliament from its leadership after he publicly stated that the group intends to capture the city of Goma.
In an interview with TV5 Monde published on March 11, 2026, Mishiki, who represents Walikale territory in the Congolese parliament, said Wazalendo fighters were regrouping inside in preparation for an offensive to retake Goma.
He also acknowledged that a drone attack carried out in Goma in the early hours of March 11, which killed three civilians including French national Karine Buisset, a staff member of , had been conducted by Wazalendo fighters.
“We are regrouping in Virunga National Park to recapture the city of Goma. We are currently in , only a few kilometers from Goma. That is why the attack happened,” Mishiki said.
However, on March 13 the coordinator of CNVDP-WAZ announced that Mishiki had “added fuel to the fire” by making statements that suggested involvement of the Congolese government without consulting the coalition’s leadership.
As a result, the group declared that Mishiki was removed as president of its Council of Elders and stripped of membership, replacing him with Katulanya Jacques.
Meanwhile, , Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said expelling Mishiki would not erase the statements he made publicly.
“You may get rid of a gang leader who admitted a crime in public, but you cannot erase the confession especially when there is strong evidence,” Nduhungirehe said.
The government of has announced it will open an investigation into the attack that killed its national.
The rebel alliance AFC/M23 has also claimed that the drone strike was carried out by Congolese government forces and alleged that it targeted several of its leaders, including Joseph Kabila, Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki and Sultani Makenga.
