A helicopter carrying Vivian van de Perre, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Acting Head of MONUSCO, has landed at Goma International Airport. It is the first aircraft to land there since January 2025, when the city was taken over by AFC/M23.
The aircraft landed at Goma Airport this Thursday, February 12, as the Acting Head of MONUSCO visits to support efforts aimed at monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire.
Vivian van de Perre stated that her arrival at Goma Airport aboard the first aircraft to land there since January 2025 is a positive sign of progress.
She said: “On 26 January 2025, I was on the last plane to land at Goma airport. And today, I am on the first helicopter to land there again,” she declared. She added: “I hope this is the beginning of the gradual reopening of this Goma airport for the benefit of the population.”
The resumption of these activities falls under MONUSCO’s mandate as defined by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2808 (2025).
This resolution mandates MONUSCO to provide support in monitoring and verifying the implementation and compliance with the ceasefire, through the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+).
Vivian van de Perre noted that the next steps will involve technical and military teams. MONUSCO is also expected to monitor flight operations in the city of Uvira in the coming days, as part of implementing its mandate.
Her visit to Goma aims to engage with partners who will play a role in organizing various activities, including coordination and communication efforts, which are intended to serve as a catalyst toward achieving a sustained ceasefire.
The UN official emphasized that supporting ceasefire measures and the full resumption of activities will be based on agreements approved by the competent authorities.
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