Representatives of the main rebel factions have participated in fresh peace negotiations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been launched by the East African Community grouping.
To find a solution to the protracted battle in the country’s east that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions, the government of the DRC, the rebel organization, and local leaders have assembled in Nairobi.
Former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta urged all sides to the conflict to open their minds to peace while stating that foreign armed organizations must be abolished during his speech at the third Inter-Congolese discussion.
“We are here to help you achieve peace by working with you as a member of the East African Community.
Kenyatta stated in Swahili, “A tranquillity that the Congolese have not had in more than 20 years.
Because of the fighting, “some children have never entered a classroom, and other men have never had the chance to work their land and lift themselves out of poverty.”
A ceasefire has been approved by 53 rebel organizations, including the M23 rebel group, according to meeting officials.
Residents in Eastern DR Congo report that a cease-fire is still in effect. Kenyatta demanded that foreign armed groups in the DRC dissolve and that national sovereignty be upheld.
Currently, forces from the nearby countries of Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda are in eastern Congo pursuing rebel groups they claim are attempting to destabilize their nations.
The Kinshasa administration has not been pleased, especially with Rwanda, which Kigali has refuted as having no backing for M23.
M23 claims to be defending the Tutsi communities from the government and other rebel groups while engaging in violent combat with the Congolese army.
Kenyatta said that in order to have a stable and peaceful country, groups must coexist in harmony.
Kenyatta remarked in Swahili, “We have no option but to live in peace with our neighbors and if we disagree, it’s your obligation to make sure that you seek a solution and invite them to a peace dialogue so that you may grow your village, towns, region, and country together.
According to the Congolese government, all armed organizations present in the nation are being discussed in the peace negotiations, not just the M23 rebel group.
According to Serge Tshibangu, the president of the DRC’s special envoy, these negotiations with the rebels are the final ones that will take place. He issued a warning to rebel organizations that are not a part of this process, urging them to do so as soon as possible in order to avoid falling behind and being slain by local authorities in the future.
Previous attempts at peace negotiations between the government and rebel organizations have all failed.
