By Isaac Tayebwa and Mercy Agumenaitwe,
EAST AFRICAN REPORTS
The war affected Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced suspension of Rwanda Air flights to their country as rivalry between the two governments ensue.
DRC which has recently accused Rwanda of allegedly supporting the M23 rebels that are terrorizing areas of Eastern DRC. This according to reports might have sparked off the suspension.
In response, Rwanda has also cancelled all its flights to Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Goma with immediate effect.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause to our customers and we will waive change of reservation fees and offer reissues or refunds for those affected. We will provide updates when we have them and be in touch with our customers to provide assistance where we can,” the carrier said in a statement on Saturday.
RwandAir expanded its footprint in DRC in September last year through new routes of Kigali-Lubumbashi and Kigali-Goma, adding to the Kigali-Kinshasa one, which had been one of the busiest since 2019.
Although DRC accuse Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group, Paul Kagame’s government has ardently denied the allegations.
On Thursday, the Congolese army clashed with the militia in the east of the vast country.
Fighting with the rebel group erupted on several fronts this week in North Kivu, a conflict-torn eastern province of DRC, which borders Rwanda and the Congolese government mouthpiece insisted the rebels are being backed up by Rwanda.
“Suspicions are crystallising that the M23 has received support from Rwanda,” Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya stated on Wednesday
Congolese Foreign Affairs Minister Christophe Lutundula also accused Rwanda of backing the M23 and said the militia had attacked Rumangabo army camp, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Goma.
“This is the height of brazenness, we cannot remain indifferent, we cannot say nothing,” he told delegates at an African Union meeting in Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday.
Rwandan Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo refuted to the claims stating that tnere is no intention for Rwanda to be drawn into an internal matter of the DRC.
