Kenya’s former President Uhuru Kenyatta has condemned reports of escalation of killings and hostilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement seen by The Kenya Times, on Tuesday, October 10, Uhuru stated that he was acting in his capacity as the Facilitator of the EAC-Led Nairobi Process on the Restoration of Peace and Stability.
In the statement, he called on the hostile parties to cease killing and stop displacing communities in eastern DRC.
“His Excellency President (Retired) Uhuru Kenyatta condemns the reported escalation of hostilities, killings and displacements in eastern DRC,” the statement reads in part.
Further, he appealed to all individuals engaged in the hostilities to allow humanitarian access to those areas and give the peace facilitators a chance to restore normalcy in the region.
“The Facilitator appeals to all parties engaged in such acts to immediately cease their armed offensives and hostilities, so as to allow continued unhindered and sustained humanitarian access.
“Also, to give a chance to a return to peace and the pursuit of a non-military solution to the crisis in the region through the EAC Led Nairobi Peace Process,” added the statement.
Also Read: Ruto Creates Special Fund to Boost KDF Participation in Peace Missions
Uhuru Appointed Peace Envoy
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta was appointed peace envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa shortly after handing over power to President William Ruto at the Kasarani Stadium on September 13, 2022.
Ruto appointed Uhuru as a special envoy because of his experience and previous engagements in DRC and Ethiopia peace talks.
KDF Soldiers in DRC
The notice came following a statement by DRC President Felix Tshisekedi on initiating plans to withdraw KDF soldiers and other troops from South Africa, Ghana and Mali from the country.
According to the president, the KDF had failed to bring peace in the region as earlier expected after 25 years of activity in the country. The Kenya Defence Forces were deployed in the country in 2022.
However, the United Stated rejected the move stressing that the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) was created to bring peace to the troubled Eastern DRC which is controlled by militants.
Also Read: DR Congo and Rwanda Agree Ceasefire at Talks: Angola
Ruto Establishes Special Fund for KDF Operations
At the same time the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) on Sunday, October 8, announced the establishment of a specific fund to facilitate deployment of troops in peace missions, dubbed Peace Support Operations (PSOs) Fund.
The fund was approved in a cabinet meeting to ensure that KDF meets United Nations peacekeeping standards.
