President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for the immediate cessation of all hostilities in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I, therefore, call for an immediate cessation of all hostilities in the Eastern DRC and for all armed groups, both foreign and local, to lay down arms”, he ordered.
President Kenyatta, who serves as the chairperson of the East African Community (EAC), directed the deployment of the regional military to parts of the DRC in a bid to restore peace in the region.
In a statement, the head of state said, the ongoing war in DRC will hinder political processes expected to take place in DRC.
He said the East African Regional Force under the auspices of the East African Community (EAC) should also be activated since DRC is part of it.
President Kenyatta further revealed that the East African Regional Force shall be deployed to the Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces immediately to stabilize the zone.
He ordered that carrying weapons outside the official and legally deployed and mandated forces in the country will be disarmed.
President Uhuru’s decision follows a series of meetings and phone calls to regional heads with the aim of finding a lasting solution to avert war in DRC.
DRC is struggling to contain M23 rebel militia armed groups, which they are accusing its neighbor Rwanda of their backing.
Many of these groups are a legacy of two regional wars of a century ago.