President William Ruto and the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, February 21, 2025, held a third phone conversation since President Donald Trump was sworn into office.
Spokesperson for the State Department Tammy Bruce in a press release said that Ruto and Rubio had a telephone conversation to discuss the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to discuss the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including the unacceptable capture of Goma and Bukavu by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group,” read part of the press release.
According to Bruce, the two emphasized that there is no military solution to the conflict and called for an immediate ceasefire. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to push for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
The call comes after Kenya issued an advisory to her citizens in DRC amid escalating conflict in the country.
Kenya issues evacuation advisory to citizens in DRC
In a statement on Thursday, February 20, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi 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.
“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.
The Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary at the same time said Kenya remains deeply concerned about the escalating violence which began in the Eastern DRC near border with Rwanda.
Also Read: US Issues Warning to Kenya After Hosting RSF Rebels
Mudavadi 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.”
Kenya’s advisory followed 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 the United States, Uganda, Rwanda, and France, countries they accuse of complicity in Rwanda’s support of M23 rebels, who have since captured Goma and other strategic towns in eastern DRC including Bukavu.
The phone conversation between Ruto and Rubio is the third since President Trump was sworn into office in January.
On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the two leaders held a second phone conversation in which President Ruto said that they discussed various issues of mutual concern for Kenya and the US.
Ruto and Rubio speak again
The Head of state noted that the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and reaffirmed the mutual commitment to strengthening the existing cooperation.
Also Read: Kenya Issues Evacuation Advisory to Her Citizens in DRC
In addition, the two discussed the United Nations-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti, with Ruto saying that the US has exempted its support for the mission from the broader pause on federal assistance following the discussion.
“Our discussion confirmed that the United States has specifically exempted its support for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti from the broader pause on federal assistance, recognizing the critical need to sustain momentum for the mission and its role in stabilizing Haiti and restoring order,” said Ruto.
Spokesperson Bruce added that Rubio thanked Ruto for Kenya’s leadership of the MSS Mission and its role in promoting peace in DRC.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to thank him for Kenya’s leadership of the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti, which remains fully operational, and Kenya’s role in promoting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Bruce.
In the first call between Ruto and Rubio held on Monday, January 27, the two discussed the need to conclude the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) agreement that seeks to increase investment and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth by unlocking the existing economic opportunities.
The two also discussed the United Nations-led MSS mission and agreed on a joint strategy to ensure the mission serves its purpose.
Secretary Rubio also reiterated the importance of Kenya’s role in promoting regional peace and security in Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and the DRC.
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