Rwanda reroutes aircraft after DR Congo closes airspace

ISTANBUL

Rwandair, Rwanda's national flag carrier, announced late Wednesday that it will reroute its flights after the Democratic Republic of the Congo closed its airspace to all civil and state aircraft registered or based in Rwanda.

“Due to the closure of DR Congo airspace to Rwandan-registered aircraft, RWANDAIR has rerouted affected flight paths,” it said in a statement.

The airline that operates regional and international routes stated that it is working to provide the safest and most efficient alternatives while minimizing inconvenience to its passengers.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Agence Congolaise de Presse reported, citing Congolese airport authorities, that an internal note was issued on the "formal ban on overflight and landing on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for all civil and state aircraft registered in Rwanda or those registered elsewhere based in Rwanda due to the situation of insecurity caused by the armed conflict."

The decision to ban Rwandan aircraft comes as the fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese forces resumed on Tuesday on the Lubero front in the eastern province of North Kivu in Congo.

Since Jan. 26, more than 3,000 people have been killed, 2,880 injured, and over 500,000 displaced, adding to the 6.4 million already internally displaced people, according to the UN.

At least 20 peacekeepers, including 14 from South Africa, have been killed during the clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese forces. The remains of the South African soldiers are expected to be returned home on Thursday.

The M23 rebels now claim control of Goma and have declared their own administration in the city.

Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels and sending its forces to eastern Congo when the latest offensive began, while Kigali has repeatedly denied the allegations that it backs rebels.