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Kinyarwanda
UN Aircraft Set to Land at Goma Airport After Over a Year of Closure
Goma International Airport, which has remained closed for more than a year, is set to receive its first aircraft as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).
In a statement released on February 12, 2026, MONUSCO announced that an aircraft carrying its Acting Head of Mission, Vivian van de Perre, is scheduled to arrive in Goma. The visit aims to engage with partners on preparations for monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire.
MONUSCO stated: “Ms. van de Perre will arrive at Goma Airport by plane on Thursday morning. This marks a significant step after no flights have reached the city since January 2025.”
Van de Perre’s visit follows discussions with the Government of the DRC. MONUSCO indicated that its ceasefire monitoring efforts will be conducted in line with the United Nations Security Council mandate and with full respect for the sovereignty of the DRC.
On February 10, 2026, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, during a visit to the DRC, announced that MONUSCO is preparing to begin monitoring the ceasefire in Uvira Territory.
Lacroix explained that the deployment will take place in phases. Surveillance aircraft will first be deployed from Goma before peacekeeping troops are sent to the area. He emphasized that the safety and security of MONUSCO personnel will remain a top priority.
Goma Airport was closed in January 2025 after the AFC/M23 coalition took control of the city. Since then, the DRC government had declared that no aircraft were permitted to land at the airport or fly over the area.
The reopening of the airport for a MONUSCO flight is being viewed as a significant step in efforts to implement the ceasefire and stabilize eastern DRC.
