Uhuru Reveals Cause For DRC Fighting Revival By M23 Rebels
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who led the Nairobi Peace initiative, now claims that the 2023 DRC elections and a lack of political will hamper the initiative.
In a statement released on Thursday, Uhuru stated that the withdrawal of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) hindered the negotiations and resulted in the resumption of hostilities in Eastern DRC.
He went on to remark that maintaining conversation with the DRC’s administration and the M23 had become harder as the political and security situations deteriorated.
“In June 2023, as the all-important 4th Intra-Congolese Dialogue Conference was set to take place, political attention in the DRC shifted toward the upcoming national elections in December 2023,” Uhuru stated.
“This shift resulted in the slowing down of the Nairobi Peace Process. Unfortunately, at the same time, a political impasse resulted in the withdrawal of Kenyan forces from the EACRF.
“The suspension disrupted the momentum of the peace process, leading to a slowing down of the peace negotiations, and a breakdown in military cooperation and ultimately a resurgence of fighting in the region,” Uhuru added.
Press Statement on the Status of the Nairobi Peace Process, 6th February, 2025.
— Office of the 4th President of Kenya. (@4thPresidentKE) February 6, 2025
The Nairobi Peace Process was structured around two key elements; political dialogue and military intervention. The political aspect focused on engaging all stakeholders including armed groups,… pic.twitter.com/fH7BK6IuIT
“Despite efforts to maintain dialogue, including consultations between the Facilitator, President Tshisekedi of DRC and the M23 leadership, the political and security landscape in the DRC became increasingly unstable.”
The former President added that during the meetings, the M23, which had committed to a truce, currently controls important towns in the DRC, including Goma, following fighting escalation.
He did, however, underline that, despite being damaged, the Nairobi Peace Process remained an important framework for conversation and conflict settlement in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Uhuru stated that the recent recurrence of violence emphasizes the critical need for fresh political will, regional cooperation, and ongoing support for peace initiatives to avoid further deterioration of the security situation.
Uhuru added that he remains dedicated to working with the DRC government, regional allies, and international stakeholders to find measures to bring about peace.
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“The Facilitator is of the strong opinion and belief that the two processes of Luanda and Nairobi hold the greatest promise for a resolution and termination of the crisis in the eastern DRC,” the statement reads in part.
“The two processes are complementary and interdependent. It is only through the close coordination of the bilateral negotiations between Rwanda and DRC and the Intra-Congolese Dialogue and Conferencing Process that this crisis can be brought to a fruitful conclusion.”
“There is an African solution to this African problem, and it is predicated on bringing both DRC and Rwanda back to the negotiation table while at the same time ensuring that the internal dynamics of people and politics in the eastern DRC are managed and directed to a path of peace and reconciliation.”
The former President stated that he had already presented the Nairobi Process report to the East African Community Heads before their meeting with SADC counterparts in Tanzania on Friday.
Uhuru Reveals Cause For DRC Fighting Revival By M23 Rebels
