DR Congo: Kenyatta 'deeply concerned' about worsening situation

The security situation in eastern DR Congo continues to deteriorate with parties ignoring the ceasefire agreed in November 2022, Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya’s former president and facilitator of the East African Community-led peace process, has said. Kenyatta’s concerns come after fighting broke out on Tuesday, January 25, in Bwiza and Kitchanga in North Kivu province between Congolese government forces, FARDC, and the M23 rebels. READ ALSO: Luanda summit calls for FDLR disarmament, M23 withdrawal READ ALSO: Will Luanda agreement hold this time? Concern about renewed fighting, influx of refugees from DR Congo In a statement on Wednesday, January 25, his office noted that Kenyatta “takes note with deep concern of the sharply deteriorating situation in North Kivu” where fighting has broken out “between various armed groups as well as between the FARDC and the M23” rebels. ALSO READ: Kenyatta meets M23 rebel leaders The facilitator called for cessation of all hostilities and adherence to the Luanda agreements and a return to the Nairobi Peace Process on consultations to build peace in DR Congo. The volatile situation is reported weeks before peace talks between the Congolese government and armed groups are scheduled to resume in mid-February. ALSO READ: DR Congo crisis: UN re-echoes possible genocide in Kivu Following the latest break-out of serious fighting in North Kivu region, “the Facilitator of the EAC peace process has expressed serious concern for the targeted killings of civilians by armed groups and thousands of internally displaced people resulting from two days of fighting in the region.” ALSO READ: M23 rebels withdraw from Rumangabo military base On January 17, the Congolese Vice-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula warned of renewed fighting. The M23 said in a statement on Tuesday that the government coalition, which includes armed groups such as the genocidal FDLR militia and Mai Mai Nyatura, launched “provocative attacks” on civilians and its positions. The rebels said the government coalition includes mercenaries and is deploying troops on all frontlines. ALSO READ: EAC force hails M23 withdrawal In December 2022, the M23 rebels began to withdraw from their positions, in respect to the Luanda agreement. As directed by the Luanda agreement, the East African Community regional force now controls positions vacated by the rebels. Lawrence Kanyuka, the M23 spokesperson, said Kinshasa has “chosen a warmongering position instead of peaceful resolution” of the conflict, at a time the rebel group was preparing to give up control of more areas.

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DR Congo: Kenyatta 'deeply concerned' about worsening situation