The recent ordeal involving two Kenya Airways employees detained by the Republic of Congo’s military amid a cargo dispute has finally come to a close. After enduring a two-week detention, the staffers were released, marking the end of a tense standoff that temporarily halted flights between the two nations.
Kenya’s foreign ministry announced the release on Monday, providing relief to both the airline and diplomatic circles. The dispute stemmed from the rejection of cargo by Kenya Airways due to inadequate documentation, prompting the intervention of Congo’s military, who detained the staffers from the airline’s Kinshasa offices.
Despite initial challenges in securing their release, a military court eventually granted the airline’s application, yet the staffers remained in custody. It took negotiations led by the Kenyan Embassy in Congo to secure their freedom, offering a glimpse into the delicate diplomacy involved in such matters.
Kenya and Congo maintain positive relations, underscored by Kenya’s involvement in U.N.-backed peacekeeping missions in Congo. This incident, while a temporary strain, highlights the importance of effective diplomatic channels in resolving disputes between nations.
Principal Secretary Korir Singoei of Kenya’s Foreign Ministry played a pivotal role in the negotiations, personally meeting with the detained staffer’s family to offer assurances of their safety and fair treatment. Despite the challenges, this resolution underscores the resilience of diplomatic efforts in safeguarding the rights and well-being of citizens abroad.
Following the realease, the CEO of Kenya Airways Allan Kilavuka has informed customers and affected passengers that KQ will resume flights to and from Kinshasa from Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
“With the necessary ground support in place, we are pleased to announce that Kenya Airways will resume flights to Kinshasa on May 8, 2024. We look forward to serving our valued customers again,” he said.
Kilavuka thanked the Kenyan government and KQ personnel who worked tirelessly to secure the release of their colleagues. He assured the airline’s compliance with investigative bodies and relevant government agencies in DRC and Kenya.
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