Belgium Urges European Action and Humanitarian Air Access via Goma

Brussels Belgium January 30, 2026 - Belgium has renewed its call for stronger European engagement in response to the worsening security and humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), urging the European Union to treat the conflict as a priority rather than a forgotten crisis. Speaking at an EU meeting on Thursday, January 29, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot emphasized that the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. “Belgium is deeply sensitive to the tragedies unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While we welcome political mediation initiatives undertaken in Washington and Doha, the situation on the ground is worse than ever. This is extremely worrying from a humanitarian perspective,” Prévot said. According to him, this persistent decline prompted Belgium, alongside other EU member states, to place the eastern DRC crisis on the meeting agenda. He expressed concern over how rarely the issue is discussed at the European level. “I am surprised that this is only the second time in a year that eastern Congo has been addressed. This cannot be a forgotten conflict. The European Union has a role to play,” he insisted. While reaffirming Belgium’s support for ongoing mediation processes, Prévot called for tangible outcomes, including a ceasefire and a return to lasting peace. He also reiterated his country’s position on respecting Congolese sovereignty and territorial integrity. “We hope these mediation efforts will lead to genuine ceasefire and peace solutions. We must advocate for the withdrawal of the M23 and Rwandan troops so that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC are preserved,” he stated. However, the Belgian minister stressed that the immediate priority remains humanitarian. He painted a stark picture of the suffering endured by civilians, particularly women and children, who are disproportionately affected by sexual violence. “The urgent need at this moment is for European action to address the humanitarian situation, where a woman is raped every four minutes and a child every thirty minutes,” he said. In this context, Prévot called for concrete measures to facilitate aid delivery, including the reopening of Goma International Airport for exclusively humanitarian purposes. “It is urgent to activate Goma airport to deliver massive amounts of humanitarian aid. Let there be no doubt: there is no intention to use this airport for military purposes. Belgium’s objective is a broader European commitment to children who have long suffered the tragic horrors of this conflict,” he clarified. The reopening of Goma airport remains a sensitive and central issue in political discussions. Kinshasa has announced an initiative to reopen the airport to facilitate humanitarian assistance, while the M23 and Rwanda insist that any decision should be made within the framework of the peace process and in respect of territorial control on the ground.