Pressure is mounting on the M23 rebels to reopen Goma Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following recent clashes that have left thousands displaced and many in dire need of humanitarian aid. According to ministers from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the closure of the airport has severely disrupted the delivery of essential food, water, and medical supplies to affected populations.
Goma Airport, located in the capital of North Kivu province, reportedly fell under the control of M23 rebels last week, with allegations that Rwandan troops supported the takeover. This has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leaving up to two million people without critical assistance.
In a joint ministerial meeting held in Tanzania, leaders from both regional blocs called for the immediate reopening of the airport and other vital supply routes. The meeting, co-chaired by Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Amon Murwira, highlighted the urgent need to restore humanitarian access to the conflict-hit region.
The ministers also emphasized the necessity of an immediate cessation of hostilities and an unconditional ceasefire. The responsibility of monitoring the ceasefire and ensuring compliance has been assigned to Chiefs of Defence Forces from both state and non-state parties within the EAC and SADC.
As part of their resolution, the leaders agreed to develop a securitization plan for Goma and surrounding areas. Additionally, immediate repatriation of the deceased from the recent hostilities was ordered, reflecting the severity of the conflict’s impact.
To address the ongoing crisis comprehensively, the ministers called for the resumption of the Nairobi process and enhanced structural coordination with the Lunda process. Both initiatives aim to establish long-term peace and stability in the DRC.
“To facilitate the implementation of the immediate interventions, a joint meeting of EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defence Forces will be convened within five days,” the ministers stated in their communique. This meeting is expected to provide guidance on ceasefire negotiations and other conflict-resolution measures.
Furthermore, the ministers proposed the formation of a joint EAC-SADC political and security technical team to oversee the execution of decisions made during the joint meetings. They also emphasized the need for political dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict.
A detailed roadmap outlining implementation measures, including financing modalities, will be presented to the joint ministerial meeting within 30 days for approval. As the crisis unfolds, regional leaders continue to push for swift and effective solutions to restore stability in the eastern DRC.
