An aircraft allegedly carrying humanitarian aid was shot down on Monday in Minembwe, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), by the Congolese military, sparking renewed tensions just days after a ceasefire agreement was brokered in Washington between DR Congo and Rwanda. The incident, which occurred near the volatile borders of Rwanda and Burundi, has been condemned by rebel factions as a “barbaric act,” further destabilizing an already fragile peace process in the war-torn region.
According to the Congolese army, the plane entered the country’s airspace without authorization, had no identification number, and was tracked on radar before being destroyed in what officials called a necessary security operation. Military officials said they had no choice but to take “appropriate measures” in the absence of legal clearance or identification, describing the aircraft as a potential threat.
However, rebel groups allied with the M23 movement dispute the army’s version of events. In a strongly worded statement issued through the rebel umbrella organization Congo River Alliance—which includes both the M23 and the Twerwaneho group that controls Minembwe—the rebels claim the aircraft was delivering food rations, medicine, and other humanitarian supplies for civilians trapped in the remote, conflict-affected region. They described the attack as a deliberate act of aggression and vowed retaliation, promising to take “necessary measures” to protect the local population.
The BBC and other media outlets have not been able to independently verify the cargo manifest or origin of the downed aircraft. However, widely circulated daytime images and videos showing burning wreckage and the mountainous topography of the crash site appear to confirm the location and scale of the incident. Much of the aircraft was reportedly destroyed in the fire.
The timing of the attack is especially critical, coming just days after DR Congo and Rwanda committed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire aimed at reducing hostilities and disarming their respective proxies in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu. Notably, the M23 rebel group one of the largest and most influential players in the conflict was not part of the Washington agreement and continues to prefer negotiations mediated by Qatar. The group insists that only a deeper, root-cause-focused dialogue can lead to sustainable peace in the region.
While DR Congo and Rwanda agreed to establish a monitoring mechanism within 30 days of the ceasefire announcement, no independent verification or enforcement system was built into the deal, raising doubts among observers about its viability. Analysts warn that the absence of a robust monitoring framework, coupled with the exclusion of major armed actors like M23, significantly weakens the agreement’s potential impact.
The region remains plagued by violence, with dozens of armed groups operating freely. Many have already violated the ceasefire, including factions responsible for the recent occupation of major urban centers such as Goma and Bukavu, along with strategic military and civilian infrastructure. The M23’s rapid territorial gains earlier this year have displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and triggered international concern about a renewed humanitarian catastrophe.
DR Congo has banned all Rwandan military and civilian aircraft from its airspace since February 2025, citing Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebellion. Despite mounting international evidence and intelligence assessments, the Rwandan government continues to deny any military or financial backing of the group.
Monday’s aircraft destruction is the latest in a series of violent incidents that cast doubt on the effectiveness of recent diplomatic efforts to end the years-long insurgency in eastern DR Congo. The lack of immediate accountability and growing mistrust between rival factions signal a grim outlook for peace, despite international pressure and high-level pledges.
With violence flaring in Minembwe and surrounding areas, and aid routes cut off by both Congolese and Burundian forces, humanitarian access is now severely limited. The incident highlights the urgent need for international stakeholders to reassess current peace frameworks and ensure inclusive dialogue that brings all key actors especially non-state armed groups into the negotiation process.
As the 30-day window for setting up a monitoring mechanism ticks down, the international community watches closely, but skepticism remains high. The destruction of the plane and the uncertainty surrounding its mission only reinforces how volatile and unpredictable the situation in eastern Congo has become.
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