DRC’s Tshisekedi Accuses Ruto Of Siding With Kagame During Peace Talks
DRC President Félix Tshisekedi has blamed President William Ruto for mismanaging the Nairobi-led peace talks, which are being facilitated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
During a Brookings Institution panel discussion, Tshisekedi accused Ruto of siding with Rwanda in the face of allegations that President Paul Kagame was supporting rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Tshisekedi has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels who are fighting his government.
According to the DRC’s Head of State, the talks were ‘dead’ due to mismanagement.
The Nairobi-led talks were intended to facilitate an agreement and cease-fire between the DRC government and the rebels.
Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has accused President William Ruto, of hijacking the Nairobi Peace Process led by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, and openly supporting Rwanda.
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He was speaking in an interview with Brookings Institution on Challenges… pic.twitter.com/dxBxgbV2cu
“There are two processes. There was the Nairobi Process driven by Uhuru Kenyatta which, unfortunately, was subsequently managed by the new President William Ruto. He managed it very badly.
“The process is almost dead, apart from the fact that the designated facilitator, Uhuru Kenyatta, has stayed on. President Ruto has taken up Rwanda’s cause,” Tshisekedi stated.
However, the DRC President did not elaborate on the intricate ways Ruto was mismanaging the talks adding that he did not want to talk more on the issue.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ruto have yet to respond to the accusations.
Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have had strained relations in recent months, particularly after some opposition leaders held a press conference in Kenya criticising the government.
At the time, the DRC pressed the Ruto government to arrest the politicians, but Kenya declined.
“Kenya strongly disassociates itself from any utterances or activities likely to injure the peace and security of the friendly Nation of DRC and has commenced investigation to determine the identities of the makers of the statement and the extent to which their utterances fall outside constitutionally protected speech.
“Kenya further affirms its non-involvement in the internal affairs of DRC and commits to continue supporting the peace, security, and democratic consolidation of the country,” Foreign CS Musalia Mudavadi stated.
DRC’s Tshisekedi Accuses Ruto Of Siding With Kagame During Peace Talks
