President William Ruto has urged the Nairobi-Luanda peace facilitation team, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta, to assist East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) peace envoys in engaging Rwanda to support peace restoration efforts in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking during a virtual summit of facilitators of the merged Luanda-Nairobi peace process, Ruto emphasized the need to bring Rwanda into the discussions, despite its past reluctance due to tensions with the DRC.
The Head of State stated that he would work with Uhuru's team and other regional leaders to ensure Rwanda's involvement.
"I know we will be having a conversation as to how this is going to move forward, especially in the context that the facilitator of the Rwanda process will not be part of this, and that is part of the conversation we need to have," Ruto said.
Ruto further urged the facilitators to continue engaging the parties involved in the conflict to help de-escalate the situation caused by the M23 rebels, who have continued making advancements within the DRC.
The President also highlighted how the humanitarian response to those affected by the conflict had been hampered by the rebels, who have captured several towns, including Bukavu.
"More than 3,000 lives have been lost, with thousands more maimed. These figures are not just statistics; they are human tragedies that demand urgent redress," he added.
Former President Kenyatta is among the facilitators appointed by the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State to mediate the DRC conflict.
Other facilitators include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, and Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic.
Earlier, the talks dubbed the Nairobi process led by Uhuru stalled due to a combination of political distractions, military withdrawals, and a lack of commitment from key stakeholders.
Furthermore, the withdrawal of Kenyan troops from the EAC Regional Force weakened security efforts, creating a power vacuum that emboldened insurgent groups.
