The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government has raised alarm over severe interferences in aircraft global positioning systems (GPS), attributing these disruptions to deliberate jamming and identity spoofing attacks by the Rwandan Defense Force (RDF) and M23 rebels. These attacks have significantly affected the airspace in North Kivu province, particularly around Goma and neighboring areas such as Beni, Butembo, Kibumba, and Kanyabayonga, according to Kinshasa.
In a press release issued today, the DRC government highlighted the grave risk these jamming activities pose to civil air transport. “These acts seriously compromise the safety of all flights, including commercial airlines, and endanger essential humanitarian missions conducted to support local populations affected by violence perpetrated by Rwandan troops on Congolese territory,” the statement read.
A technical investigation by competent DRC authorities confirmed the involvement of RDF and AFC/M23 in these malicious activities. The findings were supported by reports from international actors operating under the United Nations Security Council’s mandate in humanitarian aid and peace operations, as well as various international non-governmental organizations.
The DRC government has strongly condemned these actions, labeling them as severe violations of international law. “These acts are comparable to the use of weapons of war against civilian targets, further illustrating Rwanda’s blatant disregard for international law and the protection of civilian lives,” the government asserted.
In response to these violations, the DRC, a signatory to the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation, has formally appealed to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to impose appropriate sanctions on Rwanda. The government seeks urgent intervention from regional ICAO bodies to address the security threat and ensure the safety of air travel in the affected regions.
This development comes amid heightened tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, with the international community closely monitoring the situation. The DRC government has called for immediate action to prevent further escalation and protect the lives of civilians and the integrity of humanitarian operations in the region.
