The AFC/M23 coalition, which opposes the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has strongly criticized France’s recent remarks about reopening Goma International Airport, saying the decision was announced in the wrong setting.
During talks held in France on the situation in the DRC, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Goma International Airport should be reopened to facilitate humanitarian operations for citizens in need.
However, in a statement released afterward, the AFC/M23 coalition condemned this announcement, calling it “untimely.”
According to the coalition, any decision to reopen Goma Airport “should only be undertaken within the framework of the ongoing negotiations in Doha, which are mediated by the State of Qatar and supported by the United States and the African Union.”
The coalition further claimed that despite the ongoing dialogue, the opposing side continues to carry out airstrikes killing innocent civilians, and that some of these attacks “including the destruction of humanitarian aircraft in Walikale and Minembwe.”
AFC/M23 reminded the international community that for several months now, the Kinshasa government has closed airspace over areas controlled by the coalition in order to allow its drones to operate freely and conduct airstrikes.
The statement added: “The international community should not grant concessions to a regime that violates its ceasefire commitments by pursuing a military solution to a political conflict, thereby prolonging the suffering of the civilian populations.”
The coalition also argued that there is no urgent humanitarian need in the areas under its control that would justify reopening the airport, emphasizing that displaced people have started to return home.
It added: “The AFC/M23 urges France not to fall prey to humanitarian lobbies that have enriched themselves at the expense of former displaced persons in the vicinity of the city of Goma. Unfortunately, these same organisations have also contributed to the continued survival of armed groups, including the FDLR.”
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe who attended the same conference in France discussing the DRC crisis also said that reopening Goma Airport at this stage would be premature, since the ongoing Doha peace talks should be the ones to determine such a decision.
He stated: “The airport is located in an area controlled by AFC/M23. From Rwanda’s point of view, any decision should come from the Doha peace negotiations, where both the Congolese government and AFC/M23 are discussing solutions. Paris cannot decide to reopen the airport when the key parties concerned are not even present here.”
AFC/M23 reiterated that it was unreasonable for such an important matter to be discussed in a meeting where it was not represented.
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