The M23 Alliance in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has rejected French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to reopen Goma International Airport to humanitarian flights.
The airport, located in Goma city, North Kivu Province, has been closed since late January 2025 after M23 rebels seized control. The group also controls Bukavu airport and the cities of Goma and Bukavu in North and South Kivu provinces, respectively.
Speaking at the Great Lakes Conference in Paris on Thursday, Macron announced plans to reopen the Goma airport for daytime humanitarian flights and to establish humanitarian corridors, emphasising that all operations would respect the sovereignty of the DRC.
“We have agreed to work, in the coming weeks, towards reopening Goma airport for small daytime humanitarian flights. These accesses are essential and will respect the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Congo, so that flights can resume without delay,” Macron said.
However, M23 political spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka dismissed the proposal in a statement issued Friday, describing it as “untimely and disconnected from reality.”
He said any such initiative should be discussed within the framework of the ongoing Doha peace talks, mediated by Qatar and supported by the United States and the African Union.
Kanyuka accused the Kinshasa government of violating ceasefire commitments and pursuing military solutions to political conflicts, actions he said have worsened civilian suffering. He cited repeated drone strikes on civilian areas, including the destruction of humanitarian aircraft in Walikale and Minembwe, as examples.
The rebel spokesperson further claimed that most displaced persons have since returned to their homes, arguing that there is no longer a humanitarian emergency in what he termed “liberated regions.”
He also warned France against being misled by humanitarian organisations, which he accused of profiting from the crisis and indirectly supporting armed groups such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
“France should act with caution in its decisions and positions, so as not to inadvertently revive memories of its difficult and tragic past in the Great Lakes region. The M23 remains committed to protecting civilian populations,” Kanyuka stated.
Neither the Congolese government nor French authorities have yet responded to M23’s remarks. However, the group’s rejection of Macron’s proposal casts doubt on whether the protracted conflict between the DRC government and M23 rebels is anywhere near resolution.
The M23 insurgency, which reignited in 2022 under leaders Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, has deepened insecurity across eastern Congo. The Congolese government continues to accuse Rwanda of backing the rebels, allegations denied by both Kigali and M23, who claim their struggle is against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the Congolese leadership.
