Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to embark on his second assignment after the US ordered the resumption of the negotiation process to end the escalating war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Through a statement dated Monday, October 31, the US Department of State urged the continuation of the Nairobi Process and the Luanda trilateral mediation process to find a lasting resolution to the row.
"All state parties of the East African Community (EAC) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) must uphold the principles agreed through the East African Heads of State Conclave and the Luanda Mediation Process," their statement read in part.
"We call for the U.S.- and UN-sanctioned M23 armed group to withdraw from its positions, disarm, and rejoin the Inter-Congolese dialogue (Nairobi process) in preparation for disarmament, demobilisation, and community reintegration offered by the Government of the DRC," Ned Price, Department spokesperson added.
The statement issued by US officials came a day after Uhuru condemned the fresh conflicts in parts of Eastern DRC.
Uhuru, who is also the East African Community (EAC) facilitator of the Inter-Congolese Consultations and Dialogue on the Restoration of Peace and Stability in eastern DRC, expressed worry that the escalation of conflict had caused a humanitarian crisis in the region.
The former president further urged armed groups to voluntarily surrender their arms and participate in the national reconciliation process.
"The EAC also condemns the escalating situation in parts of South Kivu and calls on all negative elements and armed groups to cease armed actions, voluntarily lay down their arms, and participate in the Nairobi Process and the National Disarmament and Demobilization Programme," Uhuru stated.
"EAC denounces all violence against civilians and calls on all parties to recognize that there is no military solution to the conflict and embrace a peaceful means to the settlement," Uhuru added.
East African presidents, in July 2022, fronted the Kenyan peace envoy to lead peace talks in DRC. His tenure was extended by President William Ruto after he was sworn in as head of state on September 13.
Uhuru travelled to South Africa in October 2022 as a peace envoy in his first assignment, mediating the war between the Ethiopian government and Tigray revolutionists.
The former head of state accompanied AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo, and former South Africa Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka.
