By DRC: Foreign Minister Denounces Rwandan Aggression and Warns of Air Safety Risks in the East
During an address to the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Representatives of International Organizations accredited in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba, sounded the alarm over the increasingly concerning security situation in the eastern region of the DRC. On Thursday, the Minister detailed the advance of RDF/M23 rebels on Congolese territory, despite the existence of a ceasefire and a humanitarian truce.
GPS Jamming and Identity Theft: Actions Compromising Air Safety
Beyond the on-the-ground conflict, Thérèse Kayikwamba highlighted serious and repeated actions by Rwanda, a country accused of actively supporting the M23 rebellion. These actions include GPS jamming and identity theft, specifically targeting the airspace in North Kivu province, around Goma, Beni, Butembo, Kibumba, and Kanyabayonga.
The Minister expressed deep concern about the potential consequences of these acts on the safety of civil air transport in the region. “The Congolese government feels obliged to inform you because it is better to prevent tragedies that could occur and cause the tragic death of thousands of civilian passengers on international and national airlines serving this part of the DRC, due to the risks and dangers of possible plane crashes,” she stated.
Call for International Condemnation
These Rwandan actions, described by the Minister as “excessive acts,” severely compromise the safety of civil flights and pose a significant risk not only to passengers but also to essential humanitarian missions operating in the region. Kayikwamba called on the international community to strongly condemn these violations, reminding them that they constitute a breach of the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation.
International Support and Call for Vigilance
Thérèse Kayikwamba also welcomed the support of the international community, which was demonstrated by the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2024/593. This resolution explicitly condemns the violation of the DRC’s territorial sovereignty by Rwanda, thereby reinforcing the Congolese government’s position on the international stage. The Minister urged nations to remain vigilant and to use appropriate channels to support the ongoing peace process, notably the Luanda process, which aims to restore stability in the region.
The firm stance taken by the Congolese government and the call for international action underscore the urgency of the situation in eastern DRC, where civil and humanitarian security risks continue to escalate under the pressure of Rwandan aggression.
