The Democratic Republic of Congo has denied claims that a French military plane that landed on Friday at the Kisangani airport was loaded with weapons.
Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said the plane landed “in distress” and that it was “searched”.
He said the plane had departed from Reunion Island and was headed to the Chadian capital, Ndjamena, through Bujumbura in Burundi but had requested to land at the nearest airport as “one of its engines could catch fire”.
Photos of the plane at Kisangani airport were widely shared on social media, with many claiming it was delivering arms and ammunitions to a rebel group operating in eastern DR Congo.
Mr Muyaya said the plane had nine staff on board and there was “nothing to worry about”. It is waiting for an “intervention from Paris” to be able to continue its journey, he added.
Recent clashes between the army and M23 rebels have resulted in a rise of misinformation on social media .
Kinshasa accuses neighbouring Rwanda of supporting the M23 group, but Kigali has continuously denied the claim.
Presidents Felix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame are on Wednesday expected to hold talks in Angolan capital, Luanda, to find a solution to the crisis.
Source: BBc.com