https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241204/us-spy-plane-sparks-controversy-over-airspace-violations-in-africa-1069545395.html
US Spy Plane Sparks Controversy Over Airspace Violations in Africa
US Spy Plane Sparks Controversy Over Airspace Violations in Africa
Sputnik Africa
In October, Uganda's defense forces chief demanded that US Ambassador William Popp apologize or leave the country, amid US sanctions on four Ugandan police... 04.12.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-12-04T17:38+0100
2024-12-04T17:38+0100
2024-12-04T17:38+0100
uganda
africa
united states (us)
yoweri museveni
us africa command (africom)
sub-saharan africa
espionage
east africa
democratic republic of the congo (drc)
central africa
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An American surveillance aircraft has come under scrutiny after allegedly violating the airspace of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) multiple times in November.The Bombardier Challenger 604, identified as N9191 and based in Djibouti, conducted three flights over the region on November 14, 15, and 26, raising suspicions of espionage, according to the Kampala Post article.Ugandan authorities initially authorized the plane’s overflight, citing a request by the US Defense Attache in Kampala for transporting personnel and equipment to the DRC, according to the report. However, Ugandan radar operators flagged the plane’s unusual flight patterns near sensitive areas, including military bases and oil production facilities in the Albertine region. The aircraft never landed in the DRC, further fueling concerns.Following these observations, Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces revoked the aircraft’s flight permissions, media said. The unauthorized incursions also angered Congolese air traffic officials, who alerted top Ugandan leaders, including President Museveni.AFRICOM reportedly responded by acknowledging that the aircraft had “deviated from an approved flight path” but denied any surveillance activities. However, the plane’s advanced reconnaissance capabilities and ties to US intelligence contractors, including Tenax Aerospace, have raised questions about its true mission.On Tuesday, Ugandan MP Ibrahim Ssemujju called for clarity regarding Uganda's relationship with the United States following allegations of airspace violations.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241005/ugandan-army-chief-issues-ultimatum-to-us-ambassador-1068556229.html
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Christina Glazkova
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uganda, africa, united states (us), yoweri museveni, us africa command (africom), espionage, east africa, democratic republic of the congo (drc), central africa
uganda, africa, united states (us), yoweri museveni, us africa command (africom), espionage, east africa, democratic republic of the congo (drc), central africa
US Spy Plane Sparks Controversy Over Airspace Violations in Africa
Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
In October, Uganda's defense forces chief demanded that US Ambassador William Popp apologize or leave the country, amid US sanctions on four Ugandan police officers for human rights violations. The chief later indicated on X that Uganda was nearing a serious confrontation with Popp for disrespecting the president and undermining the constitution.
An American
surveillance aircraft has come under scrutiny after allegedly violating the airspace of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) multiple times in November.
The Bombardier Challenger 604, identified as N9191 and based in
Djibouti, conducted three flights over the region on November 14, 15, and 26, raising suspicions of espionage, according to the Kampala Post article.
Ugandan authorities initially authorized the plane’s overflight, citing a request by the US Defense Attache in Kampala for transporting personnel and equipment to the DRC, according to the report. However, Ugandan radar operators flagged the plane’s unusual flight patterns near sensitive areas, including military bases and oil production facilities in the Albertine region. The aircraft never landed in the DRC, further fueling concerns.
“The spy plane’s maneuvers were conducted in some of our most sensitive areas,” an anonymous official told the Ugandan media outlet ChimpReports.
Following these observations,
Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces revoked the aircraft’s flight permissions, media said. The unauthorized incursions also angered Congolese air traffic officials, who alerted top Ugandan leaders, including President Museveni.
AFRICOM reportedly responded by acknowledging that the aircraft had “deviated from an approved flight path” but denied any surveillance activities. However, the plane’s advanced reconnaissance capabilities and ties to US intelligence contractors, including Tenax Aerospace, have raised questions about its true mission.
On Tuesday, Ugandan MP Ibrahim Ssemujju
called for clarity regarding Uganda's relationship with the United States following allegations of airspace violations.
“We need the government to allay our fears about reports that an American surveillance aircraft has violated our sovereignty on three occasions [...]. So, can the government allay our fear that we aren’t at war [with America]?” he said.
