Uhuru Condemns Nairobi Meeting Which Sparked DRC-Kenya Row
Uhuru expressed his shock and dismay at the developments that occurred on Friday, December 15 in the Kenyan capital.
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Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, December 18 broke his silence regarding the launch of a political and military alliance against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which reportedly took place in Nairobi, Kenya.
In a statement, the former Head of State, who is also the Facilitator of the East African Community (EAC) led Nairobi Peace process, expressed his shock and dismay at the developments that occurred on Friday, December 15 in the Kenyan capital.
"Individuals claiming to be pursuing the interest of greater peace and stability in the DRC initiated yet another political and military Alliance to challenge the legitimate political status quo in the DRC.
"The Facilitator repudiates these developments and in particular their military character, and the accompanying politically charged and provocative rhetoric," read the statement in part.
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives in Kinshasa. /DRC PRESIDENCY
The controversial political-military alliance was announced by Congolese opposition figure Corneille Nangaa.
In a press briefing in Nairobi on Friday which sparked a diplomatic row between DRC and Kenya, Nangaa, who has been in exile, announced the creation of a political-military alliance with the M23 rebels and other armed groups to "save the country".
VOA reported that Nangaa, who was sanctioned by the US for corruption and obstructing the 2018 election, said the alliance would bring together various Congolese armed groups, militias, and social and political organizations.
"I am looking for a lasting solution; all communities must live together in Congo," Nangaa told Reuters on Saturday.
The row worsened when DRC recalled its ambassador to Kenya and summoned the Kenyan embassy's head of mission.
Uhuru has been leading peace talks in DRC in his capacity as the EAC-Facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Process on Restoration of Peace and Security in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the AU-Kenya Peace Envoy.
The Nairobi peace process, spearheaded by the EAC has been a diplomatic initiative aimed at resolving conflicts and fostering stability in the Great Lakes region.
Kenyatta called for international cooperation and urged all stakeholders to prioritize dialogue over confrontation.
"President (Rtd) Kenyatta restates his support for the US-brokered ceasefire and continues to seek its indefinite extension in order to facilitate the peace-building process, put an end to the senseless killing and suffering of the people of the eastern DRC, and set the stage for a resumption of the Nairobi peace process, and the brokering of a lasting peace in the troubled region of the eastern DRC," added the statement.
In a statement on Sunday, Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who doubles as the Foreign Affairs CS, said the government had launched investigations into the launch of the movement and the people involved.
"Kenya strongly disassociates itself from any utterances or activities likely to injure the peace and security of the friendly Nation of DRC and has commenced investigation to determine the identities of the makers of the statement and the extent to which their utterances fall outside constitutionally protected speech. 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," Mudavadi stated.
Congo is due to hold presidential and legislative elections on December 20.
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