Rwanda Confirms DRC Will Not Participate in Goma Airport Opening

Paris, November 1, 2025 - Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, has confirmed that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government will not play a role in the upcoming opening of Goma International Airport. The announcement follows a security meeting on the Great Lakes region held in Paris on October 30, 2025, where French President Emmanuel Macron revealed plans to open the airport in the coming weeks, with assistance from Qatar and the United States.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot explained that the Paris meeting aimed to accelerate discussions on Goma Airport’s reopening, with final decisions to be made in Doha, Qatar, between the AFC/M23 coalition and the DRC government. “This international conference was an opportunity to accelerate discussions on this issue, which will continue under the auspices of Qatar, with new information provided here in Paris,” Barrot said.

On November 1, DRC Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya stated that agencies responsible for airports and civil aviation have authority over Goma Airport. He claimed that if AFC/M23 controlled the airport, it would have been operational under their management since January. “Although they illegally control Goma airport, they have no right to decide which airports will be used,” Muyaya said.

Minister Nduhungirehe responded, emphasizing that France had clarified the decision to open Goma Airport would be made during the Doha talks. “Furthermore, the French proposal for opening Goma Airport does not involve the DRC government. Only MONUSCO and AFC/M23 will be involved,” he said.

President Macron has announced that once operational, Goma Airport will facilitate humanitarian flights twice a week.