Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, has said that the decision to reopen Goma International Airport concerns the AFC/M23 movement, which currently controls the facility, and should therefore be addressed within the Doha peace talks between the group and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The AFC/M23 has held control over the airport since late January 2025, after seizing the city of Goma and forcing out DRC government forces, who reportedly left significant damage to parts of the airport, including its control tower.
During a regional security conference on the Great Lakes Region held in Paris on October 30, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the Goma International Airport would reopen in the coming weeks to allow humanitarian flights to operate twice a week. “In the coming weeks, we will reopen Goma Airport to allow small humanitarian aircraft to land twice a week,” Macron said. “This will be done in full respect of DRC’s sovereignty so that the first humanitarian flights can resume without delay.”
Macron made the remarks following a closed-door meeting with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Faure Gnassingbé, the AU-appointed mediator for the Sudan and DRC peace processes.
DRC Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya welcomed Macron’s statement but emphasized that only the Congolese government has the authority to reopen the airport. “The reopening of Goma Airport will only take place with authorization from the Government of the DRC,” Muyaya said. “It will be used strictly for humanitarian flights operating during daytime hours.”
Speaking to journalists after the Paris meeting, Minister Nduhungirehe, who represented Rwanda, said the reopening of the airport should not be rushed, especially since the AFC/M23 which controls the area was not represented at the meeting. “Regarding Goma Airport, you will recall it is under the control of AFC/M23,” he said. “Our view is that the matter should be discussed within the Doha peace process, where both the DRC government and AFC/M23 can agree on a framework. Paris cannot decide on this without involving those directly concerned.”
AFC/M23 Responds
In a statement, the AFC/M23 criticized President Macron’s remarks as premature, insisting that any decision to reopen Goma Airport must be made through the Doha negotiations.
Its leader, Corneille Nangaa, said: “AFC/M23 does not recognize the announcement regarding the reopening of Goma International Airport.”
Movement spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused the DRC army of continuing heavy attacks on civilians and claimed that government forces had recently shot down two humanitarian aircraft in Walikale and Minembwe. “As long as the DRC government continues to violate the ceasefire and endanger civilian lives, it cannot be rewarded with privileges such as control over Goma Airport,” Kanyuka said. “Furthermore, now that civilians have returned to their liberated areas, there is no urgent humanitarian need. We urge France not to fall into the trap of aid groups that profit from the suffering of refugees.”
Kanyuka further alleged that some aid organizations advocating for the reopening of the airport had previously supported the FDLR and other armed groups for their own interests.
When asked which Congolese authority France had consulted on the reopening decision, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot declined to give details, saying only that the final decision could be taken during upcoming discussions in Qatar. “This international meeting was meant to accelerate dialogue on this matter,” Barrot said. “Talks will continue under Qatar’s mediation, building on what was initiated here in Paris.”
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
