France's plan to restart humanitarian flights at Goma International Airport has sparked anger from M23 rebels and Rwanda, who call the decision politically driven and poorly timed. French President Emmanuel Macron revealed the proposal on Thursday at a Paris conference focused on Great Lakes stability, pledging support for aid corridors into eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said operational safeguards would emerge from the Doha peace negotiations.
The Congo River Alliance criticized Macron's declaration as out of touch with conditions on the ground, claiming Kinshasa's military continues bombing civilian targets in Walikale and Masisi. The rebel group controls much of North Kivu province and questioned how flights could operate amid ongoing attacks on factories, bridges, and airstrips. President Félix Tshisekedi blamed Rwanda for backing M23 and urged enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 2773, which demands foreign troops leave Congolese land. He described the situation as a prolonged tragedy affecting nearly seven million displaced people.
Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said Macron unfairly singled out his country, denying any M23 support and citing security threats from FDLR militias inside Congo.
The Congo River Alliance criticized Macron's declaration as out of touch with conditions on the ground, claiming Kinshasa's military continues bombing civilian targets in Walikale and Masisi. The rebel group controls much of North Kivu province and questioned how flights could operate amid ongoing attacks on factories, bridges, and airstrips. President Félix Tshisekedi blamed Rwanda for backing M23 and urged enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 2773, which demands foreign troops leave Congolese land. He described the situation as a prolonged tragedy affecting nearly seven million displaced people.
Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said Macron unfairly singled out his country, denying any M23 support and citing security threats from FDLR militias inside Congo.
