Kenya Distances Self From DRC Rebel Alliance Launched in Nairobi

President William Ruto (left) and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi hold a press briefing on November 21, 2022.
President William Ruto (left) and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi hold a press briefing on November 21, 2022.
PCS

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Sunday cleared his Ministry name from involvement in a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) rebel groups alliance that was launched in Nairobi.

In a statement, the CS noted that Kenya had not played a part in the meeting neither did the state, headed by President William Ruto, facilitate the press conference that saw the reports get to the press.

"Kenya strongly disassociates itself from any utterances or activities likely to injure the peace and security of the friendly Nation of DRC and has commenced investigation to determine the identities of the makers of the statement and the extent to which their utterances fall outside constitutionally protected speech," read the statement in part.

"Kenya further affirms its non-involvement in the internal affairs of DRC and commits to continue supporting the peace, security, and democratic consolidation of the country."

A photo of MONUSCO soldiers.
A photo of MONUSCO soldiers.
Photo
MONUSCO

The statement comes days after DRC recalled its ambassadors from Kenya and Tanzania after a new Congolese military alliance that includes rebels was launched in Nairobi.

The withdrawal of the ambassadors was announced by Congo's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Alain Tshibanda on Saturday, December 17, 2023.

At the same time, Kenya's Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura set Sunday as the date for a press conference to address the diplomatic tiff. Mwaura later canceled the address after the uproar of overlap in roles with the Foreign Ministry.

Before this, the Congolese government summoned the Kenyan Ambassador to Congo a few hours before the withdrawal of their ambassadors.

While launching the Congo River Alliance on Friday in Nairobi Kenya, the Congolese election commission chief, Corneille Nangaa, stated that he was looking forward to creating a lasting solution to Congo.

Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, Bintou Keita, has expressed concerns over the formation of a new military alliance.

This comes at a time when Kenya, through the East African Community Regional Force (EACR) taskforce, withdrew its troops in the region with the first batch of 100 soldiers leaving on December 3, 2023.

Since DRC refused to renew the mandate, the last batch of soldiers left on December 8, 2023.

Congo is yet to hold a presidential election on December 20, 2023.

A file image of warriors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where conflict has lasted for several years.
A file image of warriors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where conflict has lasted for several years.
FILE