Brussels Airlines cancels Kinshasa flights - RTHK
A A A
Temperature Humidity
News Archive Can search within past 12 months

Brussels Airlines cancels Kinshasa flights

2025-01-29 HKT 18:26
Share this story facebook
  • The Belgian carrier runs a daily Brussels-Kinshasa return service. Photo: AFP
    The Belgian carrier runs a daily Brussels-Kinshasa return service. Photo: AFP
Brussels Airlines cancelled its Wednesday flights to and from Kinshasa amid violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo capital, as anger spilled over about the conflict raging in the east of the country.

The airline runs a daily Brussels-Kinshasa return service. "The decision to resume operations will be made after a thorough and careful assessment of the security situation," the Belgian carrier said in a statement.

Protesters in Kinshasa furious over international inaction on Tuesday targeted the embassies of Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, France, Belgium and the United States.

Supermarkets were also looted and piles tyres burned during chaotic demonstrations in the Democratic Republic of Congo capital.

France, the EU and Kenya condemned the embassy attacks.

Protesters accused Rwanda and Uganda of actively supporting the armed group M23 which after a lightning offensive in North Kivu province with the support of Rwandan troops entered the regional capital Goma on Sunday.

The main city in eastern DR Congo has become a battleground since fighters from the Tutsi-led M23 armed group backed by Rwandan forces entered central Goma on Sunday night after a weeks-long advance through the region.

Former colonial ruler Belgium has close ties with DR Congo and a large Congolese diaspora lives in the country. (AFP)

Brussels Airlines cancels Kinshasa flights