Rwanda accuses DRC of violating its airspace
By Ange Iliza
Tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to escalate as Rwanda accused the Congolese government of violating its airspace for the second time in two months.
On Wednesday, the Rwandan government spokesperson said in a statement that a Sukhoi-25 fighter jet from DRC violated Rwandan airspace along Lake Kivu in the Western Province at around midday.
This was the second similar incident since November 7 when another fighter jet from Congo briefly touched down at Rubavu Airport in the same area.
Rwanda has protested repeated violations saying that they are against the spirit of Luanda and Nairobi peace initiatives.
“The authorities in the DRC seem to be emboldened by consistent coddling by some in the international community who repeatedly heap blame on Rwanda for all ills in the DRC while ignoring the transgressions originating from the DRC,” the Rwandan government said in a statement issued December 29.
In response to the incident in November, the DRC government had said its jet “unfortunately” entered Rwandan airspace and that it had “never harbored intentions of violating that of its neighbor’s.”
In November, Rwandan officials had raised concern about DRC’s “provocation” but maintained that they are committed to the ongoing regional mechanisms to resolve the standoff.
Last week, a UN report seen by AFP reportedly confirmed that Rwanda's army is "engaged in military operations" against DR Congo's military in the country's east. The report is reported to indicate that there is "substantial evidence" that the Rwandan army directly intervened in Congo's fight against M23 rebels.
Rwanda has vehemently denied the allegations and dismissed the specific allegations until the findings were formally published.
In addition to the UN report, the United States and France, among other Western countries, have agreed with the DRC's assessment, despite Rwanda repeatedly denying the allegation.
