Rwanda’s national carrier RwandAir has cancelled all flights to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This is coming shortly after Kinshasa announced that the airline has been barred from its airspace.
“RwandAir has decided to cancel all flights to Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Goma with immediate effect.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause to our customers and we will waive change of reservation fees and offer re-issues or refunds for those affected,” the airline revealed in a tweet on Saturday.
Few days ago, D.R Congo pointed accusing fingers at Rwanda for supporting the March 23 movement (M23) rebels carrying out a military attack in eastern Congo. It went on to suspend Rwandair flights to Congo as response to their grievances.
“A warning was made to the Rwandans, whose attitude is likely to disrupt the peace process that is nearing its end with the discussions in Nairobi, where all the armed groups, except for the M23, are committed to the path to peace,” said Patrick Muyaya, Congo’s government spokesman.
Congo’s army had on Thursday, defended a major military camp in the country’s east after days of fighting with M23 rebels making moves in the region.
The army had confirmed that the rebels had also launched attacks on its positions in the Nyragongo and Rutshuru areas.
Gunfire exchanges were heard for hours, as the army tried to bring the situation under control.
“Suspicions are crystallising on support that would have been received by M23 from Rwanda.
“Rwanda, I say it without hesitation, attacked the Rumangabo camp, an important military base of the Congolese armed forces,” said Muyaya.
Rwanda has however, shoved aside all the allegations, describing them as “baseless.”