The M23 rebels have continued to gain major control over the DR Congo’s eastern region province of North Kivu with flights into the strategic city of Goma forced to suspend due to the rampant rebels’ action.
GPS satellites in the city of Goma are no longer operational after the M23 hacked the airport system on Thursday forcing several scheduled flights to be cancelled.
Airport staff in Goma, Beni and Butembo have confirmed that flights have been cancelled due to enormous difficulties being faced in navigating the aerial space in the province.
“We have temporarily suspended flights to Goma-Butembo, we are still landing with difficulty in Beni. We believe that the GPS is jammed in certain areas of the far north of the North Kivu province,” said a source close to a regular company from Goma-Butembo.
For now only pilots well accustomed to the aerial trajectory in North Kivu are taking the enormous risk of flying without the GPS.
The M23 rebels’ move is seen as an attempt to further cripple the operations of the Congolese army (FARDC) who depend on flights to transport various necessities including weapons.
