Kinshasa, July 29, 2024 – Recent news raises critical issues regarding the actions of the Rwandan government in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in terms of civil aviation. Congolese authorities have reported that intentional jamming of civilian aircraft communications was carried out by Rwandans, in flagrant violation of international standards governing civil aviation.
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Communication and Media, a technical investigation confirmed that these acts of jamming of air communications were carried out by Rwandan forces in collaboration with AFC/M23 terrorists. These disruptions were identified as coming from the use of techniques such as jamming and identity theft, affecting the proper functioning of the global positioning systems (GPS) of aircraft operating in the North Kivu province, particularly in Beni, Butembo, Kibumba and Kanyabayonga.
In response to these events, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has contacted the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to request adequate sanctions against Rwanda. These actions constitute serious violations of international law and are tantamount to the use of weapons of war against civilians, denounce the Congolese authorities.
Reports from international organizations operating under the mandate of the United Nations Security Council have corroborated the conclusions of the investigation, highlighting the dangerousness of these interferences in air navigation systems. These irresponsible actions jeopardize the safety of civilian flights and undermine the sovereignty of the DRC.
It should be recalled that these aerial provocations are not without precedent. Indeed, in August 1998, Rwanda had already used a private plane to attack the Kitona military base in the Kongo-Central region, thus violating the rules established for civil aviation. Similarly, tragic events, such as the attack on a commercial airliner carrying civilians fleeing conflict in Goma, demonstrate the irresponsibility of Rwandan actors on the international stage.
In conclusion, these recent aerial provocations by Rwanda highlight a blatant disregard for international law and the protection of civilian lives. The international community must strongly condemn such actions and act accordingly to preserve regional security and stability.