DRC Internet and Mobile Shutdown in East Persists Amid Conflict

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have prolonged a shutdown of mobile telecommunications and internet services in Fizi Territory, including the city of Baraka, for over a month. The blackout, which began on July 3, has severely disrupted communication, affecting journalists and civilians alike.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the shutdown, stating that it violates the right to information and communication freedoms guaranteed by international and national laws. CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal emphasized that the conflict in South Kivu should not justify such restrictions, which hinder access to news and fuel misinformation.

## Impact on Journalists and Media Outlets

Local journalists, who fled to Uganda and Burundi due to the escalating conflict, reported that the shutdown has crippled their ability to conduct research, publish online, and communicate securely with sources. Without internet access, media outlets struggle to relay broadcasts from national and international sources, forcing some to suspend news bulletins.

The shutdown has also led to the confiscation of satellite internet equipment. Government soldiers seized Starlink kits from multiple media outlets, including:

| Media Outlet | Date of Confiscation | |--------------|----------------------| | Radio Communautaire Kivu | July 8 | | Radio Ngoma ya Amani | July 8 | | Radio Télévision Ngyùku | July 8 | | Community Radio Consortium | July 8 |

One journalist reported that military officials stated the equipment would only be returned once the war ended, further hampering media operations.

## Broader Context of Conflict and Restrictions

The shutdown coincides with intensified clashes in the Minembwe highlands, where government forces are battling Twirwaneho rebels, allied with the M23 and the Congo River Alliance (AFC). Local press suggests the shutdown may be linked to security concerns in the region.

This is not the first instance of such restrictions. In early 2025, DRC authorities cut off internet and social media access in North Kivu’s Goma as rebels advanced. CPJ’s attempts to contact DRC Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya and local authorities in Fizi were unsuccessful due to the ongoing connectivity issues.