President Uhuru Kenyatta [Photo: Politics Nigeria]
President Uhuru Kenyatta is urging armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo against violence.
He is asking them to lay down their weapons and work with government “in nurturing peace and stability“.
“This makes it urgent for all people of goodwill in the DRC to coalesce together and frantically set a foundation of prosperity by working tirelessly for an enduring peace,” the President told the people of DR Congo.
The Head of State pointed out that the value of peace is unique and uncontested, adding that nothing enduring can be built on the shifty soils of insecurity.
The representatives of armed groups are meeting in Nairobi, for direct talks with DR Congo officials.
More than 20 groups are said to be represented.
The talks are part of resolutions passed at a recent summit of East African heads of state.
Groups that won’t participate in the talks will be dealt with militarily, a statement from the summit said.
“Without laying down weapons and forging an unbreakable national compact to secure the [DR Congo], the fruits of prosperity, that you all deserve from the teeming rich endowments, will remain elusive,” President Kenyatta said in a recorded address.
East African heads of state have agreed to deploy a joint military force to eastern DR Congo to deal with the armed groups operating in that region.
President Tshisekedi commended the armed groups for agreeing to dialogue with his Government, saying their positive response is an act of honour to their country.
He also called on all armed groups to accept the process of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and reinsertion to help in the reconstruction of the nation for the benefit of all Congolese citizens.
“This is a process that will take into account all concerns. We are going to obtain the technical and other support from many donors to enable us to succeed,” President Tshisekedi added.