President Museveni meets Uhuru Kenyatta over regional peace as M23 advances towards Goma

The President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Gen. (Rtd). Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, on Wednesday 7th February, 2024, met the former President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, the Facilitator of the East African Community (EAC) - led Nairobi Peace Process.

The EAC-led Nairobi Process is a regional peace initiative aimed at resolving the conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Launched in April 2022, it is based on principles of inclusivity, dialogue, ownership, regional leadership, and international support.

This process seeks to engage all stakeholders, including the DRC government, armed groups, civil society organizations, and the international community in finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue and negotiation, with a focus on regional leadership from the East African Community.

President Museveni revealed that his conversation with Uhuru focused majorly on fostering securing in eastern DRC.

“This afternoon at State House, Entebbe I met with the Facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Peace Process, H.E. President (Rtd). Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss the regional mandate alongside recent developments in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,” President Museveni said.

The meeting comes as thousands of people are fleeing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as fighting intensifies between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group.

Fighters reportedly surrounded the strategic town of Sake on Wednesday, a crucial step before reaching Goma, the capital of North Kivu.

The Congolese army and United Nations peacekeepers have been struggling to contain M23’s advance. And as fighting continues, thousands of those who fled Sake have arrived in Bulengo, about 10km (six miles) west of Goma.

In an area already plagued with militia violence, M23 rebels launched a major new offensive in March 2022, sparking a conflict that has led to military intervention and mediation efforts by East African regional leaders. They brokered a ceasefire last year but it has been repeatedly violated.

Clashes between the rebels, army forces and self-defence groups that support them have escalated recently, forcing entire communities in Masisi and Rutshuru territories to flee to perceived areas of greater safety on the outskirts of Goma.