DRC Points to Rwanda in Accusations of East Airport’s Drone Attack
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has accused Rwanda of conducting a drone attack that resulted in damage to a civilian aircraft at the airport in Goma, a strategically important city in the eastern part of the country. The conflict has intensified in recent days near the town of Sake, with clashes between M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, and Congolese government forces.
Lieutenant-Colonel Guillaume Ndjike Kaito, the army spokesperson for North Kivu province, stated that the drone attack occurred during the early hours of Saturday, violating the territorial integrity of the DRC. While military aircraft were reportedly not hit, a civilian aircraft suffered damage. The Rwandan government has yet to respond to these allegations.
An AFP correspondent and Goma residents have corroborated reports of two loud explosions around the time of the attack. Despite these incidents, the airport’s national and international air traffic remained normal.
Analysts suggest that if the drone attack indeed targeted military craft, it indicates a higher level of sophistication in M23 rebel tactics than the Congolese government anticipated. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns globally, with the DRC, the United Nations, and Western nations accusing Rwanda of supporting rebels to gain control over the region’s vast mineral resources—a claim vehemently denied by Kigali.
The rebels have made significant territorial gains in North Kivu over the past two years, and a confidential UN document revealed the use of advanced weaponry, including surface-to-air missiles, allegedly supplied by the Rwandan army.
The UN Security Council has expressed concern about the escalating violence and condemned the M23 offensive near Goma. The latest clashes have resulted in numerous casualties, pushing tens of thousands of civilians to flee towards Goma. The situation remains volatile, with the conflict reaching new fronts, including the village of Kashuga in the Rutshuru territory, which borders Walikale—a region previously unaffected by the long-standing conflict.
Despite diplomatic efforts, the violence in the DRC persists, prompting discussions among African leaders at the 37th African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over the weekend. The conflict’s regional and international implications underscore the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
