Reopening of Goma International Airport Sparks Debate Between Kigali and Kinshasa

Goma, DRC / Paris, France - The planned reopening of Goma International Airport in North Kivu has stirred diplomatic tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron during the Paris Peace Conference on the Great Lakes Region on October 30, 2025.

The airport, closed for nearly a year due to clashes between the FARDC (Armed Forces of the DRC) and the M23 rebel group, is being presented as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aid access to the region. Rwanda has expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing coordination with prior Doha discussions involving the M23.

Kinshasa, however, has reacted cautiously, underlining that the airport must remain under the sole management of Congolese authorities and stressing respect for national sovereignty. Government officials warned that any unilateral actions could undermine the diplomatic progress achieved during the Paris conference.

The announcement highlights the delicate balance in the Great Lakes region, where humanitarian needs intersect with ongoing security concerns and complex regional politics. Analysts note that the airport’s reopening will require careful coordination to ensure both the delivery of aid and the preservation of DRC’s authority over its territory.

Economy and Tech.