Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, January 12, held crucial talks with M23 Chairman Bertand Bisimwa and other leaders of the rebel group in Mombasa County.
According to a statement shared by the Office of the Fourth President, the meeting centred on the process of settling the security situation in North Kivu as part of the East African Community (EAC) peacekeeping mission.
"The meeting, which took place in Mombasa, is in line with the ongoing EAC-led Nairobi peace dialogue between various Congolese armed groups and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, geared towards restoring peace and security in Eastern DRC," the statement read in part.
The meeting was also attended by other senior political and military leaders from the embattled Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to a press release seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the meeting was part of the ongoing efforts to reach a deal with the rebels in Eastern DRC.
The M23 leaders agreed to continue with the orderly withdrawal from their occupied areas while at the same time adhering to a strict cease-fire. They also agreed to respect and cooperate with the East African Regional Force.
Further, the meeting resolved to prioritise the process of resettling displaced persons with the aid of the EARF forces.
On their part, the M23 representatives urged Kenyatta to assist in ensuring that there is safety in the DRC and that civil rights are upheld and recognised during the mission.
They praised Kenyatta's efforts and approach to embracing cooperation aimed at assisting to rebuild the communities in Eastern DRC and eventually alleviating their long-suffering.
In addition, the M23 chairman called for an end to hate speech and the peddling of inflammatory statements, which he described as a threat to the progress of the pacification process.
They affirmed that they were looking forward to the Nairobi Four Convention scheduled to take place in February 2023.