FARDC shoots down civilian Plane, Claims Airspace Intrusion
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have confirmed shooting down an aircraft that allegedly violated Congolese airspace on Monday, June 30, 2025. This comes after rebel group Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) accused the government of targeting a civilian plane carrying humanitarian aid.
In a statement released the same day, FARDC said its military radars detected an aircraft flying without clearance into Congolese airspace and heading towards a conflict zone. According to the army, the aircraft lacked visible identification markings, which constitutes a “gross violation of international civil aviation standards.”
“This aircraft illegally entered our airspace without prior authorization. Upon inspection, it was found to have no registration numbers displayed,” read the statement signed by FARDC spokesperson Gen. Major Sylvain Ekenge Bomusa Efomi.
The army’s declaration follows accusations by M23 that the Congolese government had shot down a civilian plane delivering food and medical supplies to displaced Banyamulenge communities in Minembwe, South Kivu. M23 described the incident as a war crime and a breach of the Washington peace agreement signed just three days earlier.
“This hate crime… deliberately inflicts unprecedented suffering on humanitarian relief efforts,” AFC spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in their statement.
M23 further accused the Congolese government of pursuing a genocide against the Banyamulenge people and warned of potential retaliatory actions.
While FARDC did not mention M23 by name in its statement, it emphasized that its actions were solely motivated by national security concerns.
“The defensive measures taken were aimed at protecting the security of our airspace and preserving the integrity of our national territory,” the army said, adding that all relevant civilian and military authorities had been informed of the incident.
The statement, titled Communiqué de Presse No. 18 du 30 Juin 2025, reiterated the army’s commitment to safeguarding Congolese territory against aerial threats, particularly in volatile regions where armed groups operate.
