The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Armed Forces (FARDC) have issued a renewed warning against unauthorized smartphone use by troops deployed in combat zones. The military leadership emphasizes that such practices pose serious security risks to both personnel and ongoing operations.

In an official statement released on July 9, acting FARDC spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mak Hazukay highlighted how even a single activated or carelessly used mobile device could expose troop positions, enable enemy targeting, and compromise entire units. The army strictly prohibits soldiers from sharing real-time locations, movements, mission details, personnel counts, or operational imagery through any digital platform.

Commanders have ordered strict compliance with communication protocols in war zones and instructed personnel to report any suspicious device usage or potential security breaches immediately. The military leadership stresses that a single lapse could endanger an entire unit, calling for heightened vigilance and operational discipline.

This stern reminder follows recent social media videos showing Congolese soldiers complaining about conditions in the Fizi and Mwenga highlands of South Kivu, where they face clashes with the M23 rebel alliance. Similar incidents occurred previously during frontline shifts near Goma, prompting repeated military warnings about operational secrecy.

Reporting from Goma by Josué Mutanava