ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The African Union (AU) has strongly condemned a drone attack on Kisangani Airport in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), warning that the incident risks further escalation of violence and threatens civilian lives far from active frontlines.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed deep concern over the attack, which has been attributed to the armed group AFC/M23.
The AU said the strike targeted critical airport infrastructure located within a major urban centre, placing civilians at grave risk and constituting a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
According to the Commission, attacks on civilian infrastructure breach key legal principles, including distinction, proportionality and precaution.
The AU noted that, unless there is clear evidence proving a strictly military objective, such facilities retain their civilian status and are protected under international law.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission condemns the drone attack carried out by AFC/M23 in #Kisangani.The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expresses his deepest concern and strongly condemns the drone attack carried out against
The continental body further warned that the use of drones and other indiscriminate methods of warfare in cities could worsen the already fragile humanitarian situation in eastern DRC and undermine both national and regional stability.
Citing the 1999 OAU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and its 2004 Protocol, the AU said the attack could amount to an act of terrorism.
It stressed that non-state armed groups cannot justify violence against civilians or civilian infrastructure on political or military grounds.
The Commission also cautioned that such acts may carry individual criminal responsibility for both perpetrators and their sponsors under international law.
The AU has called on AFC/M23 to immediately cease hostilities, abandon indiscriminate tactics, and honour commitments made under ongoing peace initiatives.
It urged all parties to fully implement the Doha Agreement, describing it as essential for achieving a lasting ceasefire, de-escalation and a return to political dialogue.
Reaffirming its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the African Union pledged continued cooperation with regional and international partners to restore peace, security and stability in the country’s eastern regions.
