Congo military bans smartphones amid security risks
Military authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have issued a strict directive prohibiting soldiers from using smartphones during operations, citing severe security risks. The measure comes after repeated instances where unauthorized mobile device use compromised mission success and endangered troop safety in the eastern regions of the country.
In recent months, a surge of videos circulating on social platforms has exposed numerous incidents involving Congolese troops and allied Wazalendo fighters. Some clips depict soldiers celebrating battlefield victories, while others reveal desperate pleas for reinforcements or complaints about logistical and financial shortages. Disturbingly, several recordings show personnel abandoning combat zones mid-battle.
One undercover lieutenant, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared his perspective from the Uvira-Fizi operational zone in South Kivu. He admitted to routinely carrying his phone into combat zones—not for operational purposes, but to maintain contact with family back home.
Balancing duty and family connection
The soldier explained, “I bring my phone to stay in touch with my family. They need to know I’m still alive—war is unpredictable. No soldier would intentionally reveal their position to the enemy. We’ll follow orders, but only if the command stops forcing us into reckless retreats that weaken our defense.”
Security at the heart of the directive
Acting spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), Lieutenant-Colonel Mak Hazukay, emphasized that even brief or careless mobile phone use could expose troop movements, enabling enemy forces to pinpoint and target units. He strongly advised soldiers to refrain from sharing operational details, troop numbers, locations, or battle footage via social media or messaging apps.
Kelvin Bwija, coordinator of the Congo Civil Society Organization (Socico) in Uvira, welcomed the ban, highlighting its potential to curb internal betrayals. “This is a commendable decision. Some FARDC members were reportedly using phones to coordinate with enemy factions and relay sensitive mission data. As civil society, we fully support this military directive.”
Upholding discipline in high-stakes conflict
Human rights advocate Maître Aimé Bisimwa acknowledged the indispensable role of mobile phones in daily life but stressed that military personnel must prioritize operational secrecy. “This ban doesn’t violate anyone’s right to communication. Globally, soldiers are trained to conceal their positions from adversaries. Regardless of their circumstances, they’ve sworn to serve under the national flag—even at the ultimate cost.”
Meanwhile, fighting continues in multiple villages across the highlands and plateaus of Mwenga and Fizi territories in South Kivu. Clashes persist between the AFC/M23–Twirwaneho rebel coalition, reportedly backed by Rwanda, and the combined FARDC-Wazalendo forces, with Burundi providing support to the government side.
