The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has banned Rwandan aircraft from its airspace and territory, citing security concerns. The DRC’s Civil Aviation Authority announced that all civil and state-registered aircraft from Rwanda, as well as any operating in Rwanda, are prohibited from flying over or landing in Congolese territory due to ongoing security threats posed by the war.
This decision comes as relations between the two neighboring countries continue to deteriorate, fueled by the conflict between the DRC’s armed forces and the M23 rebel group. The rebels have controlled parts of Goma since January 27, 2025, intensifying regional instability.
This is not the first time DRC has taken such measures against Rwanda. In 2022, the Congolese government suspended economic cooperation agreements with Rwanda and halted RwandAir flights to the country. Before this suspension, RwandAir operated flights to Goma, Lubumbashi, and Ndjili International Airport in Kinshasa.
The international community has urged both nations to engage in diplomatic dialogue to resolve their ongoing disputes, emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence among neighboring states.
