Minembwe, South Kivu — September 3, 2026
AFC-M23 has alleged that a plane carrying humanitarian aid and essential supplies to Minembwe was shot at by forces supporting the government in Kinshasa.
In a statement issued on September 2, 2026, the group said the incident occurred on August 27 at around 8:10 a.m., when the aircraft was reportedly on a mission to deliver emergency assistance to residents of Minembwe.
AFC-M23 condemned the alleged attack, saying it targeted a humanitarian mission intended to assist civilians facing difficult conditions amid insecurity and ongoing fighting.
The group also linked the incident to another episode on June 30, 2025, when it said another aircraft carrying medical supplies to a hospital in Minembwe was damaged. It further referred to a similar incident reported in Walikale in 2025.
Conflicting Accounts Over the Incident
AFC-M23’s account differs from statements issued by authorities aligned with Kinshasa following the incident.
On August 27, Fizi Territory administrator Samy Badibanga said the aircraft came under fire while it was near Minembwe.
He claimed the plane was carrying military equipment and food supplies and was targeted by FARDC drones.
AFC-M23 and the Twirwaneho militia, however, said the aircraft was civilian and was carrying food and medical supplies.
Reports surrounding the incident have raised questions over the type of aircraft involved, the nature of its cargo and the purpose of its mission.
So far, there is not enough independent evidence to conclusively verify either side’s account.
AFC-M23 Accuses Kinshasa of Pursuing a Military Solution
In its statement, AFC-M23 said Congolese citizens and mediators involved in peace talks should view the incident as evidence that the Kinshasa authorities continue to rely on military means rather than seeking a political solution to the conflict.
The group also accused the government of failing to stop the FDLR and alleged that Kinshasa was seeking to continue the war on a larger scale.
AFC-M23 reiterated its stated commitment to protecting civilians, saying it would take measures to strengthen security and prevent further attacks.
Minembwe Remains a Key Flashpoint
The reported aircraft incident comes amid continued reports of fighting in the highlands of South Kivu, where AFC-M23 is engaged in conflict with the FARDC and allied armed groups.
Information released on the day of the incident indicated that the aircraft was reportedly targeted near Bikuba, in the wider Minembwe area.
Authorities aligned with Kinshasa said the aircraft was linked to the military or groups associated with AFC-M23, while the AFC-M23 side maintained that it was carrying humanitarian supplies.
The conflicting accounts underscore the continuing difficulty of independently verifying events in conflict-affected areas of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
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