Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, November 16, announced that his mission at Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was a herculean task hampered by the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Uhuru, who visited DRC for two days of peace talks as an East African Community (EAC) facilitator, stated that it was currently impossible for him to realise the potential of his role when the fighting and displacements were ongoing.
He also lamented that the rebel groups had not upheld the provisions of the Nairobi Conclaves, agreed upon by all EAC Heads of State.
The fighting troops were to stay in their locations asper the pact.
"On his way to the camp of internally-displaced people near Goma, the former President was confronted with tens of thousands of internally displaced persons on the roadsides. The EAC Facilitator noted the misery the cycle of conflict had inflicted on innocent people.
"He held a roundtable with reps of EAC Regional Force and other stakeholders and observed the adverse effect of the violence of M23 rebels and other armed groups amounted to grave human rights violations and displacements of millions in Eastern DRC," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under CS Alfred Mutua, announced.
The peace envoy further noted that the situation required urgent intervention by the international community, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AUPSC) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
"He called on the international community, humanitarian organizations such as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef), World Food Programme (WFP), International Organization for Migration(IOM), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), to urgently respond to ease the human suffering.
Earlier, Uhuru interacted with displaced residents who passionately pleaded with him to ensure the region enjoys peace and stability.
"Goma is in a state of fear right now," an area resident lamented to Uhuru after he alighted in the rebel-dominated area.
Uhuru pledged to expedite the peace talks and resolve the conflicts in the area.
