DRC forces shoot down coalition aircraft near Minembwe

Congolese army (FARDC) soldiers shot down an aircraft belonging to the AFC-M23-RDF coalition near Minembwe in South Kivu on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The administrator of Fizi territory, Samy Badibanga, announced the incident, stating the aircraft was en route to support M23 rebels and their regional allies.

According to Badibanga, the downed aircraft was carrying military equipment and food supplies. He further alleged that the plane was preparing to land at the Minembwe airfield, approximately 40 kilometers away, and was reportedly loaded with timber and gold exploited from the Mitumba mountain range before being neutralized.

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This flying object had begun its landing maneuver near 40 km from the Minembwe airfield. It was carrying food and ammunition, and was returning loaded with red wood and gold exploited in the Mitumba mountain range.

Badibanga condemned the incident as a "repeated violation of the DRC's airspace by Rwanda and its allies." He described the Minembwe airfield as a strategic resupply point for the AFC/M23 and Rwanda, facilitating the transport of looted minerals from the highlands. "For this country, this is a vital issue," he stated.

Security sources indicated that an FARDC drone downed the aircraft in an area experiencing ongoing clashes between government forces and rebels. Badibanga commended the FARDC and Wazalendo fighters for their sacrifices in the pursuit of peace in eastern DRC. Efforts by Radio Okapi to reach the FARDC command in the area were unsuccessful.

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The Minembwe airfield remains a strategic supply point for the AFC/M23 and for Rwanda, where looted minerals from the highlands are easily transported to Rwanda. For this country, this is a vital issue.