The Nairobi Process on the Restoration of Peace and Stability in Eastern DRC, initiated by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and supported by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, has made steady and significant progress.
According to a press release issued by the Office of the Facilitator of the East African Community-led Nairobi Process, significant progress has been made since the three conclaves of eastern African Heads of State and the three Nairobi conferences 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 aid to affected populations, as well as additional deployments to secure key areas and towns.
Uhuru also announced that the planning for the next stage of the political process, the Nairobi IV multi-venue conference, is complete.
It is scheduled to take place in the eastern DRC, but will be anchored in Kinshasa by a national consultation that will kick off 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 noted that the EACRF has now fully deployed, with the South Sudan People Defense Force completing its deployment over the weekend, with at least 45 South Sudanese soldiers touching down in the city of Goma late Sunday morning.
More contingents are expected to arrive later as part of the EAC military force established 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“The major armed group M23 has withdrawn from the following locations in North Kivu on the Western front; SAKE-MSHAKI-NEENERO and KILOLIRWE.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.
These developments signal the continued commitment of East African Heads of State to the process, as well as the continued engagement of the Facilitator, former President Kenyatta.
Uhuru has pledged to continue reaching out to all parties, both political as well as armed groups, in his efforts to help bring peace to the east of the DRC.
