Kagame in Kenya for DRC conflict dialogue

President Paul Kagame on Monday, June 20 arrived in Kenya for the third East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Conclave on DR Congo.

The Rwandan president joins his counterparts from the region, including DR Congo’s Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, who arrived in the Kenyan capital Sunday ahead of the diaogue on security issue in home country.

The third such gathering in a space of just over two months, is hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the current EAC chairperson.

The talks are set to focus on issues around the inter-Congolese dialogue under the ‘Nairobi Process’ on the peace and security situation in eastern DR Congo, an official told The New Times.

DR Congo is the newest member of the seven-nation bloc, the others being Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Amb. Isaiya Kabira, the director general in charge of communications at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the third EAC Heads of State Conclave is meant to “harness the value of” ongoing initiatives aimed at bringing peace to eastern DR Congo.

The meeting was due to start at 11a.m EAT at State House, Nairobi, he said.

The previous round of talks, held in April, drew the leaders of Burundi, DR Congo, Uganda and hosts Kenya. Rwanda was then represented by the Minister for Foreign and International Cooperation.

“The situation of peace and security, particularly in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is preponderant. The people have long suffered and continue to pay an inordinately heavy price in loss of lives, property and elusive peace,” Amb Kabira said in a statement.

The first and second conclaves were held on April 8 and 21, respectively.

During the second conclave, the leaders agreed to the deployment of a regional force to deal with armed groups in the Congo.

DRC announced they will not receive troops from Rwanda on her soil, though Rwanda said it wanted the troops to be included in the mission against various rebels.