FARDC Bars Frontline Troops From Using Mobile Phones

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) has barred its soldiers from using mobile phones while on the frontline, citing growing security concerns. FARDC is currently battling several insurgent groups, particularly in the eastern part of the country.

The most significant threats include the March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) and the Twirwaneho coalition operating in North and South Kivu provinces, as well as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and Cooperative for the Cevelopment of Congo (translated in the French language as Coopérative pour le développement du Congo) in North Kivu and Ituri Provinces.

For many years, some FARDC soldiers deployed on the frontline have been using smartphones to take photos and record videos, which they later shared on social media. The content often showed soldiers celebrating battlefield victories, lamenting defeats, or expressing frustration over a lack of ammunition supply and salaries while on active duty.

In a statement issued on the night of July 9, 2026, and signed by Lieutenant Colonel Mak Hazukay Mongba, FARDC’s spokesperson, the army directed all soldiers to refrain from any unauthorized use of mobile phones while in operational areas.

The directive also prohibits troops from sharing their location, troop movements, military missions, force strength, or images of military operations on social media platforms or messaging applications.

FARDC further instructs soldiers to strictly adhere to command directives governing the use of mobile phones in operational zones. According to the statement, the uncontrolled use of mobile phones on the battlefield poses a serious threat to the safety of individual soldiers, their comrades, and the success of military operations.

The army warns that a mobile phone that is switched on or used carelessly can reveal a soldier’s position, allowing enemy forces to track and target military units. It emphasized that the improper use of a single mobile phone can jeopardize the security of an entire unit.

The statement also directs soldiers to immediately report any suspicious use of mobile phones or any information leak that could compromise the security of military operations-