Congolese Army Shoots Down Plane in Rebel-Held Region Amid Ceasefire Tensions

 

The Congolese army has destroyed a plane in the Minembwe district, located near the borders with Rwanda and Burundi, claiming it entered national airspace illegally. According to the military, the aircraft lacked proper identification and authorization, prompting it to take what it called “appropriate measures.”

However, rebels affiliated with the M23 movement dispute the army’s account. The Twerwaneho group, which controls Minembwe and is part of the wider Congo River Alliance alongside M23, stated that the plane was delivering food aid and essential medical supplies to civilians. They labeled the strike an act of barbarity and warned they would retaliate with what they termed "necessary measures" to protect local populations.

The TRENDINGBLOG247 has not been able to independently verify what the aircraft was carrying. However, imagery from the site appears to show a destroyed plane consumed by fire. Due to military blockades by both Congolese and Burundian forces, the rebel-held area of Minembwe has been cut off from road access and relies heavily on aerial deliveries for supplies.

This incident comes just days after a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States in Washington. Notably, the M23 group was not part of the deal, as it prefers negotiations mediated by Qatar. While both Rwanda and DR Congo have pledged to disarm and disengage from supporting armed groups, the reality on the ground remains volatile.

Rwanda continues to deny accusations of backing M23 despite substantial evidence to the contrary. The conflict has already displaced hundreds of thousands and caused numerous deaths. Analysts remain skeptical about the ceasefire’s effectiveness, especially in the absence of a clear verification mechanism. Monday’s attack raises further doubts about whether peace can truly take hold in eastern DR Congo.

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