Democratic Republic of the CongoRwanda
Rwandan Government Accuses DRC Military Fighter Jet Of Violating Country’s Airspace
The Rwandan government on Monday accused the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) military of violating the country’s airspace, calling the incident an act of provocation amid efforts to de-escalate tensions between the two neighboring countries, reported The Africa News.
In a statement on Monday, the Rwandan government a Sukhoi-25 fighter jet from Congo violated the country’s airspace and briefly touched down at Rubavu Airport in Rwanda’s Western Province.
The statement said that Rwanda took no military action in response, and the plane returned to the DRC. It added that the Rwandan authorities protested against this provocation to the DRC government, which acknowledged the incident.
In response, the Congolese government said in a statement that the plane was unarmed and accidentally entered Rwandan airspace while on a reconnaissance mission near the border, denying any ill intent.
The bilateral relationship between Rwanda and DR Congo continue to deteriorate despite efforts to mend them as Congo blames Rwanda for supporting a rebel group fighting in its east.
Recently, Kinshasa government also expelled Rwanda’s Ambassador, Vincent Karega in Kinshasa on 29 October and recalled its chargé d’affaires in Kigali. The Congolese government has been facing an offensive by the March 23 Movement (M23) armed group in eastern DRC in recent weeks, which has reignited historic tensions with neighboring Rwanda.
According to the UN, fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 has displaced some 50,000 people since 20 October.
Kigali continues to refute the claims and in return claims that the DRC is collaborating with Rwandan Hutu rebels.
Rwanda has previously reiterated its accusations toward DR Congo of making the genocidal group- FDLR- a part of its national army and shelling on its territory.
FDLR is home to the remnants of the forces that committed the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which claimed more than a million lives.
