The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Armed Forces (FARDC) has issued a stern reminder to troops operating in conflict zones: unauthorized use of smartphones at the front is strictly prohibited. This directive comes as military leadership warns that such actions compromise operational security and endanger entire units.

In an official statement released on July 9, acting FARDC spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mak Hazukay emphasized that even a single smartphone, if mishandled, could expose military positions to enemy forces. Activated devices or careless usage could reveal troop movements, mission details, or unit locations, making soldiers vulnerable to ambushes and attacks.

The army has specifically instructed personnel to:

• Avoid sharing real-time locations or movement patterns
• Never disclose mission specifics or operational details
• Refrain from posting images or videos of combat situations on social media or messaging platforms
• Report any suspicious device usage or potential security breaches immediately

This fresh warning follows recent viral videos showing soldiers in South Kivu’s Fizi and Mwenga highlands complaining about conditions while facing the AFC/M23 rebel threat. The military has faced similar challenges before, particularly when frontlines were closer to Goma, with troops previously reprimanded for breaching operational security protocols.

Reporting from Goma