The Armed Forces Coalition/M23 has dismissed calls made during a peace conference in France urging the reopening of Goma International Airport in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), saying the proposal is unrealistic under current conditions.
Corneille Nangaa, the political leader of the M23/AFC coalition, said the group was surprised by the Paris declaration made after a meeting on peace in the Great Lakes region, which included a demand to reopen Goma Airport.
According to Nangaa, the decision was made without consulting M23 and serves the interests of “those seeking political advantage rather than genuine peace.”
He argued that discussions about reopening the airport are irrelevant while government airstrikes continue to target civilians in the territories of Walikale and Masisi in North Kivu, as well as Fizi (Minembwe), Walungu, and Mwenga in South Kivu. These strikes, he said, have destroyed factories, bridges, small airfields, and humanitarian aircraft.
Nangaa added that the real concern should be the Congolese government’s decision to close banks in areas under M23 control, which has left civilians unable to access their money. He also said the government’s airspace restrictions have made humanitarian flights impossible.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Nangaa maintained that civilians in M23-controlled areas live in relative peace and dignity compared to those under government control.
He reiterated that M23 supports peace efforts and urged France and the international community to back the Doha peace talks between M23 and the Congolese government as the only legitimate platform to find lasting solutions.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, when asked about the Paris meeting’s proposal, said the conference acted prematurely since discussions between M23 and the Congolese government are still ongoing in Doha.
“The airport is under M23 control. We believe that any decision should come from the Doha talks, where both the Congolese government and M23 are present. Paris cannot reopen the airport without the involvement of the main stakeholders,” he said.
Goma Airport has been under M23 control since early 2025, following intense fighting that led the rebel group to capture the city of Goma and later advance into Bukavu in South Kivu.