Rwanda-DR Congo tensions mount

Brussels 25.01.2023 Rwandan forces on Tuesday, 24 January, fired at a fighter jet from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) indicating that it had violated the airspace, prompting the Congolese government to accuse it of an act of war. (Image above: social media).

‘Act of war’: Rwanda shoots at DR Congo fighter jet over alleged airspace violation https://t.co/aMqtHMEiGz

— South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) January 25, 2023

A video shared widely on Congolese social media showed a projectile shooting towards an airborne military plane, before exploding in the air near the plane, which continued to fly, according to the Reuters news agency.

Rwanda shoots at DR Congo fighter jet

In continued tensions between Rwanda and DR Congo, Rwanda reported that DR Congo's fighter jet violated their airspace for the third time in recent months.

Rwandan Government says defensive measures were taken. pic.twitter.com/18HiRHraRs

— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) January 24, 2023

Congo denied Rwanda’s accusation that the jet had violated the Rwandan airspace – the latest dispute between the two countries whose relationship has been experiencing corrosion due to rebel insurgency.

#RDC Le Gouvernement 🇨🇩 condamne et dénonce fermement l’attaque de son avion de chasse, ce mardi 24 janvier 2023, par l’armée rwandaise dans l’espace aérien Congolais et n’entend pas se laisser faire. Ci-dessous⤵️, le communiqué officiel pic.twitter.com/YnLz2Bmhlq

— Ministère de la Communication et Médias/RDC (@Com_mediasRDC) January 24, 2023