KAMPALA/BUKAVU – A humanitarian flight turned into a harrowing ordeal after two pilots were ambushed, shot, and kidnapped by armed assailants in the volatile eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The attack, which occurred on March 27, has left one pilot dead and another fighting for his life in a Rwandan hospital.
The two pilots—a Ugandan and a South Sudanese national—were flying a Cessna Caravan aircraft registered in the U.S. from Entebbe, Uganda, to Kavumu Airport in Bukavu, South Kivu Province. Their mission: evacuate International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff from the conflict-ridden region.
As the plane descended toward Bukavu at dusk, gunmen opened fire, striking both pilots. Despite their injuries, they managed an emergency landing before being forcibly taken by the attackers.
“The assailants later contacted the pilots’ handlers in Kampala, demanding ransom,” a source familiar with the negotiations told Eastleigh Voice. “Negotiations were ongoing, but tragically, the South Sudanese pilot succumbed to his injuries over the weekend.”
The surviving Ugandan pilot was evacuated to Rwanda, where he is receiving urgent medical care. His family has been flown in to support his recovery, though his condition remains undisclosed.
Who Was Behind the Attack?
No group has claimed responsibility, but eastern DRC remains a hotbed of militia activity. The M23 rebel group, which recently seized Bukavu and Goma, has been expanding its control, raising fears of further instability.
South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi had earlier confirmed to Reuters that Congolese forces withdrew from Bukavu to avoid urban warfare, leaving a security vacuum.
Red Cross Mission in Jeopardy
The ICRC had contracted Ocean Heights Aviation Training Centre, an Entebbe-based flight school, for the evacuation. The organization, known for its neutrality in conflict zones, has not yet issued a statement.
Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) spokesperson Vianney Luggya said they were unaware of the incident but promised an investigation.
A Region on the Brink
Eastern DRC has long been plagued by violence, with over 120 armed groups vying for control of its mineral-rich lands. The kidnapping underscores the dangers faced by aid workers and aviation crews operating in the area.
This incident follows a surge in attacks by M23 rebels, who have made significant territorial gains since their resurgence in 2022. Analysts warn that without robust intervention, the crisis could escalate further.
What’s Next?
- Ransom Negotiations: The kidnappers’ demands remain undisclosed, but sources say talks are delicate.
- Security Concerns: The attack raises alarms over the safety of humanitarian operations in eastern DRC.
- Regional Fallout: Uganda and Rwanda may face pressure to intervene as cross-border tensions simmer.
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