Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta last night convened an urgent meeting with East African Community’s technical advisers to address the deteriorating security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The meeting was necessitated by reports of escalating fighting in Eastern DRC despite the earlier breakthrough in previous meetings. Uhuru raised concerns about the violation of cease-fire agreements by all the parties involved.
Following the advice of his technical advisers, Uhuru who is the facilitator of the peace process reiterated his call for calm and immediate cessation of hostilities.
“The Facilitator expressed his deep concern about the serious violation of the Nairobi Principles and the Luanda Agreement. He also called for an urgent return to dialogue and consultation in order to promote trust and confidence among the parties to the conflict and alleviate the suffering of the people in eastern DRC,” read a statement from his office.
“The Facilitator remains committed to the course of building peace in eastern DRC and continues to call on regional leaders and the international community to lend their political goodwill and support to the full realization of the EAC-Led Nairobi Peace Process for the Restoration of Peace and Stability in eastern DRC,” said the statement.
Yesterday’s intervention by Uhuru came days after a cease-fire deal was reached between the government of DRC and representatives of the rebels on January 12 in a meeting held in Mombasa.
During the meeting that brought together the leadership of key leaders of the rebels and representatives of the government, the parties resolved to continue with the orderly withdrawal from their occupied areas.