President William Ruto held yet another call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the recent capture of Goma and Bukavu by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group.
During the discussions held on Friday, February 21, the two leaders agreed that with the recent capture of the key cities of Goma and Bukavu by the M23 armed group, a military solution is not viable.
Both Ruto and Rubio jointly condemned the capture and called for an immediate ceasefire.
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to discuss the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. They emphasised that there is no military solution to the conflict and called for an immediate ceasefire," the statement by the US Department of State spokesperson read in part.
President Ruto and Secretary Rubio reaffirmed their commitment to push for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
This is the second time President Ruto has engaged in a phone call with Secretary Rubio over the ongoing Congo conflict.
On February 6, the two leaders had a lengthy call where Rubio thanked Kenya’s leadership for the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti, which remains fully operational.
He also thanked Ruto for Kenya’s role in promoting peace in the DRC. The M-23 rebels have also taken control of strategic locations such as Kavumu airport.
Rubio and Ruto's calls for a ceasefire resonate with those of African leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State during a Summit held in Dar es Salaam on February 9.
In a final communique, regional leaders called for an "immediate ceasefire" and the restoration of supply lines in the DRC.
Leaders attending the summit directed the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces to meet within five days to devise technical measures for enforcing an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
The EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces met in Nairobi on Friday, February 21, as directed, where they signed a final report, including recommendations to be forwarded to the EAC Council of Ministers for further action.
The recommendations included the immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, provision of humanitarian assistance, the opening of main supply routes, development of a securitisation plan for Goma and surrounding areas, immediate reopening of Goma Airport, and advice on other facilitative interventions.
