Uhuru Complains of Being Sidelined in DRC Peace Talks

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a statement highlighting how he has been sidelined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Peace talks amid escalating wars.

According to Uhuru, the Nairobi Peace Process, which remains a vital framework for dialogue and conflict resolution in eastern DRC, has been temporarily sidelined.

However, he emphasized that the process still holds critical importance in addressing the ongoing conflict.

“The Facilitator remains committed to finding pathways to peace, in collaboration with the government of DRC, regional partners, and international stakeholders,” the statement read in part.

In his statement, the fourth president stressed the urgent need for renewed peace talks between the warring states.

He highlighted the dishonoring of an earlier ceasefire as a significant setback, which has slowed down the peace and diplomatic negotiations that were agreed upon in the peace process.

Uhuru Kenyatta Explains Resurgence of Fighting in DRC

Uhuru added that the 2023 DRC elections and lack of political goodwill undermined the process.

“Despite efforts to maintain dialogue between Kenyatta, (Congo President) Felix Tshisekedi and the M23 rebels the political situation in Eastern DRC became increasingly unstable,” Uhuru’s spokesperson Kanze Dena stated.

”Following the December 2023 elections in the DRC, the formation of a new government delayed the resumption of the Nairobi Process. While engagements with key stakeholders continued, the lack of political momentum, coupled with renewed hostilities in North Kivu and South Kivu, has significantly undermined the progress made in 2022-2023.”

The former President said progress through June 2023 was encouraging as he conducted extensive diplomatic engagements, meeting with political, civil and military stakeholders across the region.

He mentioned that Kenya initiatives included multiple targeted discussions with armed groups including the M23, confidence-building measures with various civil rights and women groups, and the organization of several high-level conferences to resolve tensions and identify pathways to peace.

“These efforts, supported by the EACRF, UN and MONUSCO led to a noticeable reduction in hostilities, a return of displaced persons, and significant withdrawals by armed groups from strategic areas in North Kivu,” he added. 

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Calls for Renewed Peace Talks

Uhuru Kenyatta now wants Rwanda and DRC to embrace dialogue and agree on a ceasefire deal to quell the heightening clashes.

“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 read further.

“The two processes are complimentary 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.”

At the same time, the former president also provided insight into the structure of the Nairobi Peace Process, which was based on two main pillars: political dialogue and military intervention.

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The political element aimed to engage all stakeholders, including armed groups, political factions, civil society, and regional partners, in an inclusive conversation to resolve the conflict and promote long-term peace.

On the military front, the deployment of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) was intended to provide peacekeeping and peace enforcement support, complementing the diplomatic efforts.

Uhuru’s address comes ahead of the planned joint meeting between the EAC and SADC regional blocs.

The meeting, set to be held in Tanzania, will be co-chaired by President William Ruto, the EAC chairperson, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

President Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, have confirmed their attendance.

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