A high-profile conference in Paris aimed at stabilizing Africa’s Great Lakes region has yielded a significant pledge of humanitarian aid from French President Emmanuel Macron. The president announced €1.5 billion in aid and plans to reopen the airport in Goma for humanitarian flights. This move is part of a broader initiative to address one of the world’s most entrenched conflicts, which has plagued the region for decades.
The conference, attended by key regional players, was marked by a mix of skepticism and resistance to the proposed plan. The M23 rebels, who control the airport and large parts of North Kivu province, described the initiative as “inopportune” and “disconnected from realities on the ground.” Rwanda’s foreign minister echoed this sentiment, stating that the airport is currently under the control of the M23 authorities, making it impossible to reopen from Paris.
Despite the challenges, the aid pledge and airport announcement are seen as crucial steps towards lifting the region out of conflict. The Great Lakes region has been embroiled in violence and instability for years, with the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo bearing the brunt of the fighting. Recent clashes near the Masisi territory have highlighted the fragile nature of peace on the ground, with one security source confirming that fighting has resumed in the area.
Experts have welcomed the aid injection and infrastructure plans, but emphasize that these must be matched by genuine diplomatic breakthroughs and credible frameworks. Without addressing the root causes of the conflict and power imbalances in the region, the Paris initiative may struggle to achieve lasting stability. The lack of representation from African heads of state at the conference has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the proposed plan.
As the situation in the Great Lakes region continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the Paris initiative will yield tangible results. The international community will be watching closely to see if the pledged aid and infrastructure plans can help to bring about a lasting peace. With the region’s history of conflict and instability, a comprehensive and sustained approach will be necessary to achieve stability and prosperity for the people of the Great Lakes region.