Kinshasa Stands Firm as Goma Airport Dispute Unfolds

Paris, France —At the recent Paris conference on peace and humanitarian response in the Great Lakes region, the proposal to reopen Goma International Airport for humanitarian aid sparked controversy, revealing once again the fragile credibility and disruptive role of the AFC/M23 armed group, as well as Rwanda’s interference.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged the rapid reopening of the airport, solely for humanitarian purposes, to facilitate life-saving assistance to civilians trapped in the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.

However, the AFC/M23, a rebel group occupying Goma’s airport since early 2025, responded with defiance, claiming the initiative was “ill-timed” and should be discussed within the Doha negotiation framework, where M23 and Rwandan officials have tried to reposition themselves as stakeholders.

AFC/M23 Rejects Humanitarian Access, Contradicts Reality on the Ground

In a statement released shortly after Macron’s remarks, M23/AFC downplayed the urgent humanitarian need in Goma, falsely claiming that "displaced populations have already returned home." This assertion contradicts credible reports from the UN, humanitarian agencies, and the Congolese government, which confirm the presence of hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians still in dire need of shelter, food, and protection.

The group also accused the Congolese army of targeting humanitarian aircraft, a claim critics say is an attempt to justify their continued militarization of civilian infrastructure and blockage of aid operations.

M23's narrative has grown increasingly contradictory. While it claims to care about humanitarian needs, it simultaneously opposes the use of MONUSCO-monitored humanitarian corridors and actively undermines efforts to secure access for NGOs and aid convoys, further demonstrating its lack of legitimacy.

Rwandan Interference Becomes Clearer

The role of Rwanda in this crisis became even more evident when Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, immediately criticized the Paris proposal. His demand that the issue be routed through Doha negotiations, where Kigali exerts heavy influence, raised serious diplomatic concerns.

Observers noted that just minutes after Nduhungirehe spoke, M23's political spokesman Bertrand Bisimwa echoed the exact same language on social media, highlighting the direct chain of command from Kigali to M23, and raising questions about who truly controls the decisions of the rebel group.

Kinshasa Reaffirms Sovereignty and Responsibility

In a firm response, Congolese Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya reaffirmed that the reopening of Goma Airport will happen under the authority of the legitimate government in Kinshasa.

“The airport will be reopened soon, under the full responsibility of Congolese authorities, and strictly for daylight humanitarian operations,” Muyaya announced on X (formerly Twitter).

He dismissed objections from Rwanda and M23 as “an attempt to politicize aid and sabotage urgent humanitarian efforts,” warning that undermining emergency relief for women and children is not only irresponsible but also a sign of moral failure.

“Those who oppose urgent humanitarian assistance do not just deny the crisis; they expose the brutality of their methods and the true face of their leadership,” he added.

Background: Goma Airport Under Rebel Control

The Goma International Airport has been under M23/AFC control since early 2025. The group closed the airport in January, accusing the Congolese army of using it to transport troops and weapons. They also alleged that parts of the airport had been damaged during clashes, claims widely seen as a pretext for entrenching their military hold over vital infrastructure.

Conclusion: Time for Clarity, Not Compromise

While Paris, Washington, and African leaders push for coordinated humanitarian action, the obstruction by M23 and Rwanda reveals a pattern of weaponizing humanitarian aid to retain territorial and political leverage.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, supported by its international partners, has made it clear: aid access is a human right, not a negotiation chip.

The international community must not reward those who block lifesaving relief. The sovereignty of the Congolese state must be respected, and civilians must not be held hostage to regional power games.