DR Congo closes airspace to Rwandan planes for three months

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has closed its airspace to Rwandan planes for three months over the ongoing armed conflict with the M23 rebel movement.

According to a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued on Wednesday, all civil and government aircraft registered or based in Rwanda have been banned from flying over and landing in the DRC.

According to the notice, the new law would last until May 11, due to the current security situation in the central African country.

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Following the failure of mediation efforts under the auspices of Angola, the M23 rebel movement has resumed its offensive in the eastern DRC in recent weeks.

The republic’s authorities accused neighbouring Rwanda of supporting the rebels and call on it to withdraw troops from DRC territory.

Rwanda denies all accusations.

After the M23 rebels captured Goma, the capital of the eastern Congolese province of North Kivu in late January, they announced a unilateral humanitarian ceasefire, which has been in effect since February 4.