Kenya Airways has announced the suspension of its flights to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, starting Tuesday. This drastic step comes in response to the continued detention of its employees by military authorities in Congo, despite a court order demanding their release.
The two workers were taken into custody by Congo’s military intelligence on April 19, allegedly due to unaccounted-for customs paperwork for some expensive shipment. Kenya Airways claims that because the shipper did not present all necessary documentation, the airline rejected the package.
Kenya Airways said in a statement on Monday that the continued detention of its employees is preventing it from effectively managing its business in Kinshasa. The statement said, “It has become challenging for us to oversee our operations in Kinshasa due to the prolonged imprisonment of our staff.” The airline has therefore made the decision to discontinue operations to Kinshasa “until we can effectively sustain these flights.”
The Congolese government has not complied with explicit orders from a military court directing the release of the arrested workers in order to allow due process. The airline and Congolese authorities are now at odds with one another more than before, which has an effect on business operations and diplomatic ties between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The foreign affairs ministry and government of Congo did not immediately react to requests for remarks, and spokespeople did not return messages.
Kenya Airways is actively working with government agencies and investigating agencies in Kenya and the Congo to find a solution. The airline has declared the incident to be harassment directed at its business activities and restated its position that the employees in custody are innocent. Since our employees are blameless, we see this incident as as harassment targeting our business,” the airline stated, emphasizing its commitment to protecting its employees and interests.
The impact on Kenya Airways’ operations, customers, and international relationships keeps becoming worse as long as the issue is not resolved. The airline’s decision to halt operations not only emphasizes how bad the situation is, but also the difficulties faced by international companies doing business in areas with complicated political and regulatory frameworks.
There are questions regarding the legal safeguards afforded to foreign citizens employed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to the prolonged imprisonment without following the proper legal procedures. The perceived dangers associated with governmental and regulatory policies could potentially discourage future business and investments in the region as a result of this tragedy.
For now, Kenya Airways remains firm in its decision to halt flights to Kinshasa, prioritizing the safety and legal protection of its employees over operational considerations. The airline is hopeful for a swift resolution that will allow it to resume normal operations and continue serving its customers in the region.
