Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has distanced the government from statements made by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) opposition figure Corneille Nangaa in Nairobi.
In a statement on Sunday, December 17, the prime CS, who is also the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, noted that Kenya was a democratic state where non-nationals were allowed to engage the media.
Therefore, Mudavadi indicated that the Congolese opposition figure was allowed to speak to the Kenyan press.
“The Ministry wishes to note that Kenya is an open and democratic state where freedom of the press is vouchsafed.
“As such, nationals and non-nationals may engage the Kenyan media without reference to the government,” noted Mudavadi.
Notably, the opposition figure held a presser in Nairobi, announcing the formation of a political-military alliance and opposing President Felix Tshisekedi.
Following the presser, DRC recalled its Kenyan ambassador John Nyakeru Kalunga with immediate effect on Saturday, December 16 evening.
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Mudavadi on Government Taking Action
Further, the statement indicated that the government had begun investigations into the matter, to determine utterances that broke any laws.
“Kenya strongly disassociates itself from any utterances or activities likely to injure the peace and security of the friendly Nation of DRC,” the statement read in part.
Additionally, the government indicated that it was not involved in any internal affairs of the DRC government, adding that the country was its ally.
“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,” added Mudavadi.
Details of DRC Opposition Presser
While speaking in Nairobi, Nangaa announced the formation of a political-military alliance while calling on the M23 rebels and other armed groups to join the alliance.
Nangaa openly allied himself with several rebel movements, including the M23, which took up arms against the government in November 2021.
Additionally, he noted that his platform comprised of 17 political parties, two political groupings and several armed groups, calling on other armed groups to join his movement.
“The Congo River alliance. Our call is specifically aimed at the following groups, political parties, civil society organizations and platforms,
“Resistance force and community self-defense forces, armed forces of the democratic republic of Congo, community and diaspora leaders,” he announced.
