The AFC/M23 coalition fighting the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government has declared that President Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo has no authority to open Goma International Airport.
This message was announced by AFC/M23 Spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, while responding to the decisions of the DRC Cabinet held on November 14, 2025, which included a request to three ministers to prepare for the opening of this airport.
Those assigned this responsibility are the Minister of Security, Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo, the Minister of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba and the Minister of Defense, Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita.
Kanyuka said, “The Kinshasa government has no authority or right to consider opening an airport located in liberated areas, which it looted and destroyed. This airport will be opened only by AFC/M23, not by Mr. Tshisekedi Tshilombo or anyone else.”
At the international conference on security in the African Great Lakes region held in France on October 30, 2025, there was a promising news of the reopening of this airport, which has been closed since January.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot explained that the decision to open the airport will be taken during the Doha talks between the DRC government and the AFC/M23 in Qatar.
The DRC government explained that it has the authority to open the airport because it controls the national authorities responsible for airports and civil aviation.
At the last cabinet meeting, President Tshisekedi indicated that the airport will be opened by the end of 2025.
