Uhuru: Rwanda, DRC hold key to Goma deadlock

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta says the current crisis in eastern Congo can be brought to an end through close coordination between the governments of Congo DRC and Rwanda.

Uhuru, however, says that despite efforts to maintain dialogue, including consultations between him, President Felix Tshisekedi of DRC and the M23 leadership, the political and security landscape in the DRC is becoming increasingly unstable.

The former President says he has engaged in confidence-building measures with various civil rights and women groups, and the organisation of several high-level conferences to resolve tensions and identify pathways to peace in the region.

Uhuru said that the Nairobi Peace Process, initiated by East African Community (EAC) to address the escalating conflict and security challenges in eastern DRC, represents critical diplomatic and military effort to restore peace and stability in the region.

“I believe that there is an African solution to this African problem. It is predicated on bringing both DRC and Rwanda back to the negotiation table while at the same time ensuring the internal dynamics of people and politics in  eastern DRC are managed and directed to a path of peace and reconciliation through the Intra-Congolese Dialogue process,” Uhuru said yesterday.

• .

  Keep Reading

• 
  Duale reflects on highs and lows as Cabinet Secretary
• 
  DR Congo's Goma in crisis as humanitarians fear disease outbreaks
• 
  M23 declares ceasefire in DRC's war-torn east
• 
  How African leaders can handle long-running crisis in DR Congo

In a statement issued to journalists by his spokesperson Kanze Dena at his Nairobi Residence, Uhuru said that the Nairobi Peace Process was structured around two key elements, which are political dialogue and military intervention.

The former President is convinced that the two processes, of Luanda and Nairobi, hold the greatest promise for a resolution and termination of the crisis in the eastern DRC with the two processes being complementary and interdependent, even as other efforts are tried.

“The recent resurgence of hostilities in eastern Congo highlights the urgent need for renewed political will, regional cooperation and sustained support for peace efforts to avoid further deterioration of the security situation,” said Uhuru.

The former President pointed out that the M23, once subject to a ceasefire agreement, has now regained control over key towns, including Goma, and fighting has once again escalated across the region which now calls for immediate measures to end the crisis.

This comes at a time Heads of State from EAC and the Southern African Development Community(SADC) member states are being hosted by Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan today and tomorrow in a summit to deliberate on the ongoing conflict in Congo DRC.

 “Although the Nairobi Peace Process has temporarily been sidelined, it remains a critical framework for dialogue and conflict resolution in the eastern DRC. I am committed to finding pathways to peace, in collaboration with the government of DRC, regional partners and international stakeholders,” Uhuru said.

The former President said the military element involved the deployment of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) to provide peacekeeping and peace enforcement support, complementing the political dialogue progress which, up to June 2023, was very encouraging.

Uhuru said he conducted extensive diplomatic engagements, meeting with political, civil, and military stakeholders across the region with key initiatives, including multiple targeted discussions with armed groups like the M23.

“The political aspect focused on engaging all stakeholders including armed groups, political factions, civil society, and regional partners in an inclusive conversation aimed at resolving the conflict and fostering long-term peace,” said Uhuru.