EU Commissioner on Drones and Civilian Protection in Eastern DRC
EU Commissioner Lahbib said in a New York speech that drones are being used by multiple parties, including armed groups, in the conflict in eastern DRC and are hitting civilian areas. She said that less than three weeks after her February visit to Goma, a drone struck a residential building in Goma housing humanitarian workers and EU personnel, killing UNICEF humanitarian worker Karine Buisset. She stressed that international humanitarian law applies to drone warfare and called for the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, hospitals, aid convoys and camps for displaced families.
Impact and considerations
Drone strikes in eastern DRC that hit humanitarian workers and EU personnel highlight local security risks and impeded aid access, which is relevant to assessing safety for travel and personnel deployment in the region.
Key points
- EU Commissioner Lahbib said drones are being used by different sides, including armed groups, in the conflict in eastern DRC.
- She said drone strikes are hitting civilian areas in eastern DRC.
- She said that less than three weeks after her February visit to Goma, a drone struck a residential building in Goma housing humanitarian workers and EU personnel.
- UNICEF humanitarian worker Karine Buisset was killed in the attack.
- She stressed that international humanitarian law applies to drone warfare and that distance does not dilute responsibility.
- She called for the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, hospitals, aid convoys and camps for displaced families.
- She said the EU is one of the DRC's largest humanitarian donors and that she travelled to the country twice this year to advance humanitarian diplomacy.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- European Commission
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 23 Sept 2026, 23:37
- Page published
- 24 Sept 2026, 00:26
- Last updated
- 23 Sept 2026, 23:37
- Original links
- European Commission Press Corner：Speech by Commissioner Lahbib on Drones, Modern Warfare, and the Protection of IHL in DRC (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 23 Sept 2026, 23:37