Goma, DRC — November 2, 2025. The March 23 Movement (M23) has sharply criticized remarks made by Congolese government spokesperson and Minister of Communication, Patrick Muyaya, accusing him of undermining national sovereignty in comments about the reopening of Goma International Airport.
Appearing recently on the national broadcaster RTNC’s political program Congolais Totelema, Minister Muyaya reportedly stated that the reopening of Goma and Bukavu airports “depends neither on the DRC, nor on Rwanda, nor on the AFC/M23, but is a decision of the international community.”
In a statement released by the rebel group, M23 described Muyaya’s comments as “an admission of weakness,” alleging that they confirm “Kinshasa no longer controls the dossier” concerning the reopening of the airport.
The group accused the government of “ceding sovereignty” to international actors and mismanaging the situation on the ground.
M23 further claimed that a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued in January 2025 prohibited landings at both Goma and Bukavu airports and alleged that Congolese forces were responsible for “technical sabotage” at Goma’s control tower and the placement of mines around the airfield.
The group provided no verifiable evidence to support these allegations.
The movement also dismissed the minister’s televised remarks as “propaganda,” saying the program on RTNC was “a staged attempt to salvage the image of a regime losing credibility.”
Citing recent international discussions, M23 referred to the Paris Humanitarian Conference on the Great Lakes Region held on October 30, 2025, as evidence that the issue of Goma’s airport had already been raised under the ongoing Doha peace process.
Government officials in Kinshasa have not responded publicly to M23’s accusations.
As of now, Goma International Airport remains closed to commercial flights, with limited humanitarian access under international supervision.