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The third round of consultations for the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo facilitated by the East Africa regional bloc has begun in Kenya’s capital Nairobi. Steps to be taken for the disarmament of rebel groups will figure prominently in the discussion
The third round of consultations for the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo facilitated by the East Africa regional bloc has begun in Kenya’s capital Nairobi. Steps to be taken for the disarmament of rebel groups will figure prominently in the discussion.
Kenya’s President William Ruto and Burundi’s Évariste Ndayishimiye attended the Monday opening session in person of the consultations, while the presidents of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda attended virtually. The facilitators have lent support to resolve the issue amicably to ensure lasting peace in the DRC. Former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta said the aim was to discuss the political processes and institutional reforms that would ensure an environment that was conducive to the disarmament, rehabilitation, and reintegration of armed groups in the DRC.
Earlier, at a summit in Angola, leaders called for a cease-fire followed by a rebel withdrawal from the major towns that are currently under the M23 rebel group control. M23 is not a part of the discussion in a formal sense, but it has accepted the condition of a cease-fire. Yet, there is a trust deficit between the two warring groups-M23 and the Congolese government. There was no official version of the people who were in the consultations. The East Africa regional bloc secretary general, Peter Mathuki, confirmed the presence of some groups belonging to M23 at the discussion without specifying who they were.
There are efforts to identify the root cause of the conflict and weave a solution based on that. DRC’s five provinces are badly affected by the conflict. There are also talks about deploying troops from all member countries to bring peace to the region. Already, a contingent of Kenyan troops has been deployed to the eastern DRC as part of the regional force. Eventually, two battalions from Uganda, two from Burundi, and one from South Sudan will be included.
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The largest city in Congo’s east Goma, which is situated along the border with Rwanda has been the centre of the conflict. M23’s s origin can be traced to protecting the rights of Congo’s ethnic Tutsis. But speculation is ripe that they want to take control of eastern DRC because of its mineral wealth.
