Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday met the technical team of the technical advisory team on the EAC peace process in the DRC ahead of the fourth consultative meeting slated for mid-February.
The AU-Kenya Peace Envoy and Facilitator of the East African Peace Process thanked the team for their commitment to restoring peace in the rebel-controlled Eastern part of the DRC.
He said it's paramount that peace and stability are restored in the volatile North Kivu region where thousands have fled their homes for fear of reprisals by the M23 rebel group.
"I thank the East African Community secretariat for organising this meeting which I believe will be the first of many that we shall have going forward until such time that we achieve the object that was set out for us," Uhuru said.
The former head of state said that the restoration of peace in the DRC will play a huge role in enhancing the capacity of the region to work together for the economic prosperity of the region.
"And to focus ourselves on the real challenges that we have, the challenge of ending poverty, ensuring our people have adequate health the challenge of creating employment for our young people, not the challenge of stopping and preventing wars amongst brothers and sisters," Uhuru said.
Uhuru has so far facilitated three peace negotiation meetings in Nairobi between the rebels and the DRC government.
In his latest meeting with leaders of the M23 rebel group in Mombasa on January 12, the rebel group committed to continue with the orderly withdrawal and to adhere to a strict cease-fire.
The group also agreed to respect and cooperate with the East Africa Regional peacekeeping force as it takes up the areas vacated by M-23 fighters.
The M-23 further expressed appreciation for Uhuru's continued commitment to seeking international assistance and cooperation aimed at restoring peace in eastern DRC.
