The chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf “strongly” condemned the drone attack carried out against Kisangani Airport, in eastern the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
The leader of the AFC/M23 rebel movement in Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting the airport serving the strategic northeastern city of Kisangani, describing it as a warning to the government.
The c hairperson in a statement issued on Friday underscored that this attack, directed against an airport infrastructure located in a major urban centre and gravely endangering civilian populations, constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.
Recalling the absence of objective evidence establishing the strictly military nature of the target, Youssouf said such infrastructure retains its presumption of civilian character and, as such, benefits from full protection under international law.
In light of the relevant instruments of the African Union, in particular the 1999 OAU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and its 2004 Protocol, the chairperson said the attack may amount to an act of terrorism.
He strongly reaffirmed that non-state armed groups cannot invoke any political, security or military justification to legitimise acts that target or endanger civilians or civilian infrastructure.
According to the chairperson, such acts may also entail the individual criminal responsibility of their perpetrators and sponsors, in accordance with applicable international law.
The chairperson warned of the expansion of hostilities to cities far from the front lines, which constitutes a major factor of escalation and poses unacceptable risks to national and regional stability, as well as to the already critical humanitarian situation in eastern DRC.
In this regard, Youssouf called on AFC/M23 to immediately cease all hostilities, to renounce the use of indiscriminate means and methods of warfare, and to strictly comply with the commitments undertaken within the framework of ongoing peace efforts.
He urged all concerned parties to proceed, without delay and in good faith, with the full implementation of the Doha Agreement, as an essential foundation for an effective ceasefire, lasting de-escalation and a return to political dialogue.
MG/as/APA