UAE expresses solidarity with Democratic Republic of the Congo, conveys condolences over victims of plane crash

A plane crash in Congo has claimed at least 14 lives, including two high-ranking military officials, according to the military. The two senior officials were Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, head of the military court, and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia, the auditor general of the armed forces. Additionally, twelve members of a delegation and the crew members perished in the accident.

The plane was en route to the capital city of Kinshasa from southwestern Kikwit when it experienced a technical malfunction and crashed in the town of Kenge, where everyone on board lost their lives. Major General Efomi Ekenge, the spokesperson for the Congolese military, announced the grim news in a statement. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash, which remains unknown at this time.

The Congolese military has been engaged in a prolonged conflict with various rebel groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, in the eastern region since last year, following a series of attacks that resulted in the rebels capturing key cities.