Congo: Army downs mystery plane linked to rebels

Violence persists in the Congo as the army shoots down a plane above the eastern region of the country, while rebels claim it was aid for local villages, according to the BBC reported on July 1st.

The Congolese military reportedly tracked an unauthorised plane in its airspace on radar, with no apparent legal permission or identification number, they made the decision to take “appropriate measures.”

The plane was shot down headed for the rebel-controlled area of Minembwe, the Twerwaneho group, closely allied to the larger M23 group, holds domain over the village and labelled the actions of the army as “barbarity.” BBC reports they claimed the plane held “food rations” and “essential supplies including medicines” for villagers.

Multiple daytime images circulating online depict most of the wreckage engulfed in flames, making it difficult to verify the contents of the plane. With Burundi and Congolese forces blocking all road access, the village is entirely reliant on supply from the air.

The wider rebel umbrella, which includes Twerwaneho and M23, Congo River Alliance, published a statement expressing their intention to respond with “necessary measures” to keep locals safe.

This comes after a ceasefire deal was signed on June 27th, following decades of war that claimed the lives of thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands. The planes destruction comes with many other violent incidents post-ceasefire agreement. Many of these incidents stemming from armed groups active in the region.

Neither the rebels nor Congo have attributed the planes origins to Rwanda, despite widespread suspicion and evidence of their financial and military support for M23. The ceasefire included commitments from both Congo and Rwanda to disarm and disengage their alleged proxies.

President Trump, who oversaw the deal, stated: “you’re going to do what is in the agreement,” yet analysts claim, despite Trumps wishes, there was no reputable change on the ground.

The Minembwe incident casts a long shadow over a fragile peace deal, yet to deliver anything but the cold reality of the ground in Congo.

BBC/Maghrebi