President William Ruto, on Wednesday, May 31, commended former President Uhuru Kenyatta for his role as a facilitator of the East African Community (EAC) in the ceasefire witnessed in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking during the 21st Extraordinary Meeting of the Heads of State in Burundi, Ruto noted that the peace experienced in DRC was a result of the role played by various mediators negotiating a truce between the DRC government and the M23 rebels.
“We celebrate the ceasefire that has now been held for the last two months and congratulate all the actors – the military of DRC, the East African force, and all the actors that have made it possible for us to have the ceasefire we all wanted as a summit.
“We also celebrate the gradual return of civilian life in Eastern DRC even though there are challenges to it. We can confidently say that there is a significant return to human life in Eastern DRC, ” Ruto referred to a report Uhuru submitted to the regional leaders.
The President also commended the East African Regional Force (EACRF) led by Major General Alphaxard Muthuri Kiugu of Kenya for restoring peace and order in areas vacated by the M23 rebels.
In a communique, it was also noted that the EAC presidents were impressed by Uhuru’s role as the EAC facilitator and thus resolved to adopt his report.
Uhuru has, on numerous occasions, held meetings with the DRC government and M23 officials – who met him in Nairobi on January 12, 2023.
Further, the presidents directed the Azimio la Umoja council chairman to continue handling communication with the M23 forces as they seek to restore peace in the warring nation.
It was also resolved that Ruto would host the follow-up meeting at State House Nairobi, where the Heads of State will be briefed on progress made by the facilitator and the regional forces on resolutions made in Burundi.
Uhuru was appointed peace envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa shortly after handing over power to Ruto at the Kasarani Stadium on September 13, 2022.
Ruto appointed Uhuru as a special envoy due to his experience and previous engagements in DRC and Ethiopia peace talks.
“On the peace initiatives in our region including both in Ethiopia and Great Lakes Region, I have asked my elder brother President Uhuru Kenyatta who has done commendable engagement with those regions and he has graciously agreed to continue chairing those discussions on behalf of the people of Kenya,” Ruto stated then.
