DRC Fizi: Telecom Network Suspension Paralyses Region

• Socio-economic activities in Fizi territory and Baraka city were significantly disrupted on October 12 due to a telecommunications network suspension.
• The suspension of mobile and internet services, including mobile money, has been ongoing since July, severely impacting daily life and commerce in the DRC's Fizi region.
• Civil society groups have submitted a memorandum to the President of the Republic, demanding the full restoration of networks from providers like Vodacom, Airtel, Orange, and Africel.
• The memorandum also calls for the return or compensation for confiscated Starlink connection equipment, which was allegedly seized during Wi-Fi connection operations.
• Additionally, the groups seek compensation for digital purchases made during a brief, unsuccessful network reopening attempt between October 8 and 9, 2026.

Civil society organizations from Fizi and Baraka have formally appealed to the President of the Republic, seeking his direct intervention to reinstate essential services and uphold the rights of the affected populace.

Socio-economic activities in the Fizi territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province experienced significant paralysis this past Monday, October 12. This widespread disruption stems from an ongoing suspension of telecommunications networks that has afflicted the region since July, severely impacting the daily lives and commercial operations of residents in Fizi and the city of Baraka.

Local inhabitants report considerable difficulties accessing the internet, which has become a critical tool for communication and commerce. The inability to regularly utilize mobile money services has further compounded the economic strain, hindering financial transactions essential for local businesses and individuals. Moreover, basic telephone communications have been consistently interrupted, isolating communities and impeding urgent contact.

These persistent issues have created a climate of frustration among the populace, who rely heavily on these services for everything from personal connections to vital economic exchanges. The prolonged absence of reliable connectivity underscores the deep integration of telecommunications into modern life and the profound impact its disruption can have on a region.

In response to the escalating crisis, civil society organizations from Fizi and Baraka have formally appealed to the President of the Republic, seeking his direct intervention to reinstate essential services and uphold the rights of the affected populace. A memorandum detailing their grievances and demands was submitted by these groups, with Orphée Yamonea identified as one of its key signatories.

The memorandum outlines three primary demands. Firstly, it calls for the complete restoration of telecommunications networks operated by Vodacom, Airtel, Orange, and Africel, ensuring all services—including messaging, calls, financial transactions, and internet access—are fully operational across the entire Fizi territory and the city of Baraka. This comprehensive reopening is seen as crucial for alleviating the current paralysis.

Secondly, the civil society groups demand the restitution or reimbursement of connection equipment, specifically Starlink kits, which reportedly belong to non-governmental organizations, community radio stations, economic operators, and private citizens. This equipment was allegedly confiscated during operations related to Wi-Fi connection. Finally, the memorandum seeks compensation for the populations of Fizi and Baraka for telephone units, megabytes, gigabytes, and SMS purchased during a brief, unsuccessful attempt to reopen the networks between October 8 and 9, 2026.

The ongoing Fizi telecom network suspension in the DRC highlights significant regulatory and economic challenges. The civil society's call for compensation for digital purchases made during a failed network restoration attempt points to potential liabilities for service providers or the government, particularly if consumers were charged for services that were not delivered or were quickly withdrawn.

The demand for the return or reimbursement of confiscated Starlink equipment also raises questions about property rights and the legality of such seizures. These actions, if not properly addressed, could deter future investment in telecommunications infrastructure and undermine trust in regulatory frameworks within the Sud-Kivu region.

The authors of the memorandum have expressed their anticipation of an official response from the authorities. They emphasize that a timely and satisfactory resolution is essential to enable the normal resumption of socio-economic activities in this vital part of the South Kivu province, underscoring the critical importance of internet access issues and mobile money disruption to regional stability and development.

Lawyers advising telecom operators in the DRC should closely monitor the government's response to public demands for service restoration and potential claims for compensation or restitution of confiscated equipment in Fizi and Baraka. This situation highlights regulatory risks and potential liabilities arising from service disruptions and government actions affecting telecom infrastructure.

Source: Reporting on civil society demands in the DRC.