Security forces in Kinshasa have detained several employees of Ndjili International Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over allegations that they deliberately stranded President Félix Tshisekedi’s plane in midair.
The presidential aircraft, DRC001, carrying President Tshisekedi, entered Kinshasa airspace on the night of September 10–11, 2025, following a two-day official visit to Kazakhstan.
According to the head of the Civil Aviation Authority (RVA), Ngoma Mbaki Léonard, a sudden power outage struck the airport as the plane approached. The blackout forced multiple aircraft to be diverted to Brazzaville in the neighboring Republic of Congo.
Reports indicate that Tshisekedi’s aircraft circled the skies for 11 minutes while the pilot awaited landing instructions.
In response, several air traffic controllers were immediately arrested, and the airport director was suspended pending investigations to determine who was responsible for the incident.
Authorities suspect that the power outage was caused by negligence, as backup power systems should have been in place to prevent such disruptions.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
