Kenyatta stresses peaceful resolution of DR Congo conflicts

All stakeholders should aim for a “peaceful resolution” of unending conflicts in eastern DR Congo, according to the facilitator of the East African Community’s efforts to restore peace and security in the vast country, former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta. The former Kenyan president on Thursday, July 13, chaired a stakeholders’ meeting in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, about the Luanda and the EAC-led Nairobi peace processes initiated for the country. The closed-door session majorly discussed matters of cantonment and confidence-building measures among the warring parties in eastern DR Congo, Kenyatta’s office said. “Our principal and primary responsibility as a combined team is finding a peaceful resolution for the people and the nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Kenyatta said. ALSO READ: Kenyatta chairs security meeting on eastern DR Congo Second Executive Consultative Technical team meeting held at the Serena Hotel in Goma, DRC. pic.twitter.com/YugK53phxX — Office of the 4th President of Kenya. (@4thPresidentKE) July 13, 2023 Previous similar meetings were hosted in cities outside DR Congo. Kenyatta said the stakeholders’ meeting was held in Goma – on DR Congo territory – because “the process is about the Congolese people” and a “clear indication of everyone’s commitment towards a lasting, peaceful solution.” In attendance were Congolese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Jean Pierre Bemba, Congolese Minister for Regional Integration Mbusa Nyamwisi, the head of the UN mission in DR Congo, Bintou Keita, as well as diplomats and representatives of different organisations. ALSO READ: EAC force assesses Rumangabo as a pre-cantonment area for armed groups Eastern DR Congo has remained volatile for nearly three decades and is home to more than 130 armed groups. Since November 2021, the Congolese army, FARDC, has been fighting with the M23 rebels. The Luanda and Nairobi processes initiated the cantonment of the rebel group as part of the peace efforts. ALSO READ: DR Congo: M23 rebels warn of renewed fighting The M23 commander, Gen. Sultani Makenga, recently noted that he is not interested in cantonment if the Congolese government does not want direct peace talks. The M23 had remained silent ever since its defeat in 2013. The group resumed fighting in 2021 and took control of key positions in North Kivu province before it started withdrawing from territories it had captured and handing them over to the EAC regional force. The rebels began withdrawing from their positions, in accordance with the Luanda peace agreement of November 2022.

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Kenyatta stresses peaceful resolution of DR Congo conflicts