Kenya has issued an advisory to her citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid escalating conflict in the country.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in a statement on Thursday, February 20, urged Kenyans in DRC to exercise extreme caution and consider evacuation following the escalating conflict between the country’s security forces and militant groups led by M23.
PCS Mudavadi at the same time said Kenya remains deeply concerned about the escalating violence which began in the Eastern part of DRC, on the Rwandan border and that has spread beyond to other parts of the country.
“Following the disturbing situation, we are requesting Kenyans in DRC to take extreme caution of their security situation, and where necessary consider possible evacuation, especially from volatile regions,” read part of the statement by Mudavadi.
Kenya Issues Evacuation Advisory to Her Citizens in DRC
The PCS who also acts as the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary said that the government is considering evacuation plans for those seeking assistance, further directing them to contact Kenya’s consulate in Goma or temporary offices in neighboring Congo Brazzaville.
“The Kenyan government is considering the evacuation of Kenyans who can reach out to our consulate in Goma and our temporary offices in Congo Brazzaville.”
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Kenya’s advisory follows a statement issued back in late January after the country’s Embassy in Kinshasa was attacked by a mob protesting the ongoing violence.
The demonstrators also targeted embassies of Uganda, Rwanda, France, and the United States, countries they accuse of complicity in Rwanda’s support of M23 rebels, who have since captured Goma and other strategic towns in eastern DRC.
The government on January 28 condemned the attack, citing concerns over the safety of its diplomatic personnel.
“We call on authorities in DRC to take appropriate action. Kenya stands with the DRC during this challenging time and will use all diplomatic means at its disposal to work with the rest of the region in the search for peace. We implore Kenyan citizens and businesspeople to exercise caution during this period,” said Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei.
Ruto Calls for Dialogue
Meanwhile, Kenya is urging the parties in the conflict to consider an immediate ceasefire, as adopted by the Heads of State at the Joint East African Cooperation (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) High-Level meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
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President William Ruto, who is also the chairman of the EAC, had urged all parties in the conflict to cease hostilities and embrace dialogue.
Ruto also said the two regional blocks must stand together in calling for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
He said all parties should give priority to dialogue, cooperation and, above all, the protection of civilians.
“Today, we join together to reiterate our calls to the parties to this tragic conflict to immediately cease hostilities and take positive actions to allow meaningful dialogue aimed at the restoration of stability,” he said.
Ruto pointed out that the conflict in Eastern DRC is a result of a wide spectrum of historical, economic and political issues, which go back in time for many decades, and spill across national and regional borders.
Mudavadi’s call came even as the United Nations warned that M23 advances threaten regional conflict in the eastern part of the country
Fears of regional conflict are growing as the militant group captures cities in eastern DRC, prompting UN concern over strategic advances.
Recent weeks have seen the rapid progression of the Rwanda-backed rebels, which has seized vast tracts of the eastern DRC, including Goma and Bukavu.
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