Goma,Congo-The Government of Rwanda has pushed back against comments attributed to French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the ongoing halt of flights at Goma International Airport, arguing that the French position misrepresents the outcomes of recent regional discussions.

Macron was reported to have said that “effort has not been made by the M23 and those who hold the airport” to facilitate the resumption of flights, insisting that “all the administrative conditions have nevertheless been met by DR Congo.”

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, dismissed the French President’s remarks as inaccurate and inconsistent with the deliberations of the October 30 Humanitarian Conference on the Great Lakes Region, held in Paris. According to Nduhungirehe, “no consensus emerged among the participants regarding a peremptory decision for the immediate reopening of Goma Airport,” suggesting that Macron’s characterization overstated the level of agreement in the room.

The dispute highlights growing tensions surrounding the status of Goma Airport, which has remained a focal point in the broader conflict in eastern DR Congo. The airport has been under the effective control of M23 rebels, prompting international concern over humanitarian access and regional stability.

Several analysts argue that the future of Goma Airport has evolved into a litmus test for the credibility of ongoing diplomatic engagements. The ability of international actors, Kinshasa, Kigali, and armed groups to navigate this issue is increasingly seen as a measure of whether the peace process can progress beyond declarations and into tangible implementation.

As the standoff continues, regional observers warn that misaligned public statements risk complicating already delicate negotiations, with the airport’s reopening tied to both humanitarian imperatives and political symbolism.

Telegaraf News