- Kenyatta said they had recorded “steady and important progress” following the three Conclaves of eastern Africa Heads of State and the three Nairobi conferences he convened in 2022.
- He announced that planning for the next stage of the political process, the Nairobi IV multi-venue conference, is complete.
Retired president Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday praised the progress of the Nairobi Process on the Restoration of Peace and Stability in eastern DRC.
Uhuru, who is the Facilitator of the EAC-Led Process, said in a statement that they had recorded “steady and important progress” following the three Conclaves of eastern Africa Heads of State and the three Nairobi conferences he convened in 2022.
“South Kivu has enjoyed relatively increased peace and reduction of hostilities since the peace process started while North Kivu has also seen a decline in violence but remains volatile,” Kenyatta said.
He noted progress in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected populations and further deployments to secure key areas and towns.
Uhuru at the same time announced that planning for the next stage of the political process, the Nairobi IV multi-venue conference, is complete.
It is set to take place in the eastern DRC but anchored in Kinshasa through a national consultation which will initiate the multiple-town conferencing process.
“The military truck has continued to make progress and to undergird the political process, as envisioned by the Nairobi agreements. In this regard, the military track of operations towards peace and stability in eastern DRC remains on course as envisaged by the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) Mandate with a ceasefire still holding between FARDC, M23 and other active armed groups for the last three weeks,” he said.
He stated that the South Sudan People Defense Force completed its final phase of deployment over the weekend, and at least 45 South Sudanese soldiers arrived in the city of Goma late on Sunday morning, signaling the completion of the EACRF’s deployment.
Further contingents are expected to arrive at later dates as part of the EAC military force created last June to stabilise the troubled Central African country.
“The major armed group M23 has withdrawn from the following locations in North Kivu on the Western front; SAKE-MSHAKI-NEENERO and KILOLIRWE. KITCHANGA is scheduled to be vacated by Tuesday this week,” Uhuru added.
Further, the main supply route allowing free movement of goods and people and delivery of humanitarian assistance will also be secured, he said.
The retired Kenyan leader initiated the process while in office, alongside President of the DRC Felix Tshisekedi. The process is also supported by the Heads of State of all East Africa Community countries.
Although March 30 was supposed to mark the end of the withdrawal of all armed groups according to a timetable adopted in mid-February by the EAC, the deadline was not met.
The AFP news agency on Friday quoted the EAC force commander, Kenyan General Jeff Nyagah, as saying that the planned M23 withdrawal would be “sequenced”.
M23 remains in control of substantial areas of North Kivu, and has almost completely surrounded Goma, which has Rwanda to its east and Lake Kivu to its south.
The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, something the United States, several other Western countries and independent UN experts agree with.
Rwanda denies the allegations.
And whereas there has been no major fighting between the Congolese forces and the M23 revels for several weeks, fighting with rival militias and insecurity remains rampant.
Residents, local officials and medical sources say 14 people were killed in separate attacks in North Kivu this past weekend under unclear circumstances.
