The Congolese army destroyed a plane in the Minembwe district, which is near the borders with Rwanda and Burundi. According to the Congolese government, the aircraft had entered their airspace without permission and lacked any identifying markings. The army claims to have tracked the plane with radar, and given its suspicious behavior, it decided to take "appropriate measures" by destroying the aircraft.

Rebel Allegations

Rebels allied with the M23 group, however, dispute these claims. The Twerwaneho group, which controls Minembwe, issued a statement condemning the attack, calling it an act of "barbarity." They argue that the plane was delivering crucial supplies, including food and medicine, for the local population. The rebels emphasized that the destruction of the plane has negatively impacted the people in the region who are already struggling with limited access to resources.

Context of the Conflict

This incident comes shortly after the signing of a ceasefire agreement between DR Congo and Rwanda, which was brokered in Washington. While the agreement was hailed as a step toward peace, the M23 group, which controls large portions of eastern DR Congo, has rejected the deal. The rebels argue that only talks mediated by Qatar will address the deeper causes of the conflict and bring a lasting resolution.

Ceasefire Challenges

Despite the ceasefire agreement, the situation in the region remains tense. Many armed groups, including the M23, continue to operate in the area, and their unwillingness to fully comply with the ceasefire jeopardizes the peace process. Additionally, the agreement does not include a verification mechanism, which further complicates efforts to enforce the ceasefire and secure lasting peace in the region.