DRC crisis: Nairobi peace talks due Monday

The third round of the inter-Congolese dialogue under the East African Community (EAC)-led Nairobi Process on restoration of peace and security in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is scheduled to commence on Monday, November 28 in Nairobi, Kenya, the regional secretariat has announced. According to the EAC Secretariat, the third Inter-Congolese dialogue aims to accelerate the ongoing regional efforts to attain sustainable peace and security in Eastern DRC as elaborated by various efforts of the EAC Heads of State. “The peace talks reaffirm the commitment of the Heads of State of the EAC; Great Lakes region and Africa at large, to find a lasting solution to the security challenges in the Eastern DRC,” it said in a tweet posted on Saturday, November 26, 2022. The third round of the Nairobi peace talks between the DR Congo government and armed groups operating in the country, were scheduled to resume on Monday, November 21, but were cancelled, with reports claiming the reason for that was that Kinshasa government declined to engage the M23 rebels. Yet, the M23 rebel group that has been fighting the DR Congo army FARDC in the east of the country insisted they want ‘direct’ talks with the Kinshasa government. And, EAC leaders have underscored the need to uphold inclusivity in the peace talks, by ensuring the participation of all stakeholders in the regional security matters with a view to achieve sustainable peace in the region. Meanwhile, the Luanda summit on the security crisis in eastern DR Congo, which was held in the Angolan capital Luanda on Wednesday, November 23, ordered the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) to disarm immediately, and embark on an “unconditional repatriation”. According to the Government of Rwanda, FDLR is a terrorist group composed of remnants responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which intends to destabilise its security. A report by the UN group of experts revealed in June that the Congolese army FARDC is collaborating with the FDLR. The Luanda summit also resolved that the M23 rebels, who are fighting the Congolese army in North Kivu province, shall withdraw from the occupied territories. The DRC government has previously alleged that the Government of Rwanda backs the M23 rebels to undermine its security. Yet, the rebel group argues that its fight seeks to protect the rights of the Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese who have been subjected to persecution.

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DRC crisis: Nairobi peace talks due Monday