The Congolese government on May 23 suspended all flights to and from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, as part of measures aimed at containing an Ebola outbreak.

In a statement, the Ministry of Transport said no aircraft would be allowed to land at or depart from Bunia airport until further notice.

The restriction applies to commercial, private and charter flights operating to and from the city. Airlines and flight crews have been instructed to comply with health and security directives issued by the relevant authorities.

The ministry said humanitarian, medical and emergency flights could still be authorized on a case-by-case basis, subject to prior approval from aviation and health authorities.

According to the statement, the measure is intended to prevent further spread of the outbreak and protect passengers, crews and airport workers.

The suspension comes amid a resurgence of Ebola cases in Ituri, a province that has faced several outbreaks in recent years.

The decision also comes only weeks after modernization works were completed at Bunia airport. The facility, which authorities had promoted as a way to improve connectivity to the northeastern province, is now operating under restrictions linked to Ebola containment efforts.

Boaz Kabeya