AFC/M23 Rejects Calls to Reopen Goma Airport

The AFC/M23 rebel movement has dismissed calls made during a peace conference in France for the reopening of Goma International Airport, which remains under its control in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Corneille Nangaa, leader of AFC/M23, said the group was neither consulted nor informed about the decision issued at the Paris conference on peace in the Great Lakes region. “We were surprised by the Paris statement calling for the reopening of Goma Airport. Those behind it are acting opportunistically. This decision does not reflect the current reality, and no one discussed it with us,” Nangaa said.

He argued that it is inappropriate to talk about reopening Goma Airport while Congolese government warplanes continue to bomb areas such as Walikale and Masisi in North Kivu, and Fizi (Minembwe), Walungu, and Mwenga in South Kivu. Nangaa claimed the airstrikes have targeted civilians, factories, bridges, small airstrips, and even humanitarian aircraft.

The rebel leader added that the issue of reopening the airport is secondary compared to what he described as a “serious humanitarian and economic crisis,” following the government’s closure of banks in territories held by AFC/M23 a move that has prevented residents from depositing or withdrawing money.

Nangaa also said the Congolese government has closed the airspace over areas controlled by the movement, making humanitarian flights impossible.“In the areas we administer, people live in security and dignity  unlike the suffering imposed by the Kinshasa government,” he said.

Reiterating his group’s commitment to peace, Nangaa urged France and the international community to support the ongoing Doha peace talks in Qatar, which he said represent the only credible path toward a negotiated settlement.

Meanwhile, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said the French conference acted prematurely, noting that discussions between the DRC government and AFC/M23 are still underway in Doha. “The Goma airport is under AFC/M23 control. Rwanda’s position is that any decision regarding it should come from the Doha talks, where both the DRC and AFC/M23 are engaged. Paris cannot decide to reopen an airport when those directly involved were not even present,” Nduhungirehe told reporters.

Goma International Airport was seized by AFC/M23 fighters earlier this year after fierce battles that also led the group to capture Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province.