Kenya’s former president, Uhuru Kenyatta, has delivered a key update on the mediation process aimed at restoring peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Uhuru is the facilitator of the East Africa Community-led Nairobi Process for the Restoration of Peace and Stability in Eastern DRC and, on Thursday, February 6, 2025, sent a report to brief the East African Community, African Union, and SADC Secretariates on his work as mandated by the Summit of the EAC.
“President Kenyatta believes that the time is right for him to prepare this brief in light of the dire and escalating situation in the Eastern DRC and the upcoming consultations on the matter.
“This status update follows the report presented by the Facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Process for the Restoration of Peace and Stability in e
Eastern DRC, delivered to the 24th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State on November 30, 2024. It is intended as a briefing for the upcoming joint summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) to be held on February 7-8, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as well as the African Union 37th Ordinary Session to be held this February 2025,” a statement sent to press by Uhuru’s office read.
The Nairobi Peace Process was initiated by EAC in response to the ongoing conflict and security challenges in the eastern DRC, especially in Goma.
Structure of peace process
The mediation, being spearheaded by the fourth president of Kenya, represents a critical diplomatic and military effort to restore peace and stability to the region.
“This process was formally established during the 22nd Ordinary Summit of the East African Community on July 22, 2022. The Summit directed the creation of the Intra-Congolese Dialogue, led by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, the former President of Kenya, who was appointed as the facilitator to oversee the process.
“The Nairobi Peace Process was structured around two key elements: political dialogue and military intervention. The political aspect focused on engaging all stakeholders, including armed groups, political factions, civil society, and regional partners, in an inclusive conversation aimed at resolving the conflict and fostering long-term peace.
“The military element involved the deployment of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) to provide peacekeeping and peace enforcement support, complementing the political dialogue efforts,” the statement added.
The conflict in the DRC involves a rebel coalition, Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes the M23 armed group against the government’s forces.
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