The United States State Department has issued a strong condemnation of Rwanda’s alleged use of GPS jamming equipment in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), saying that it is severely hampering humanitarian aid efforts and endangering personnel, Bloomberg reports.
The department’s statement, released Wednesday, accused Rwanda of using jamming and “spoofing” techniques that prevent United Nations peacekeeping and humanitarian aircraft from operating in the conflict-ridden region.
Spoofing, which involves manipulating transmitted information to disguise identities, is preventing critical flights from reaching areas where millions have been displaced by ongoing violence. The State Department emphasized that these actions are “endangering UN and humanitarian personnel while blocking needed relief for civilians suffering from the related violence.”
The US claims the jamming is a tactic being employed by Rwandan forces and the M23 rebel group, who are allegedly working in concert. This aligns with a recent United Nations expert report that accuses both groups of using jamming equipment to block surveillance and military drones over areas they control. Rwanda, however, continues to deny the presence of its troops in the DRC. The report further detailed the use of equipment to obstruct communications.
The State Department’s statement also addressed the complex dynamics within the DRC, condemning the alliance between the Congolese army and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group with links to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This alliance has developed as the DRC attempts to counter the M23 rebellion, which opposes the FDLR’s continued presence. The US reiterated that such alliances further complicate the region’s longstanding instability.
Looking to de-escalate the ongoing conflict, the US urged the DRC government to negotiate with all armed groups in the region, including the M23.
“There is no road to peace without dialogue between the government of the DRC and armed groups, including the M23,” the statement asserted.
However, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has repeatedly refused direct negotiations with the M23, labeling them as terrorists.
