Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday attended the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
The meeting, which Uhuru attended virtually focused on the peace and security situation in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan.
He participated in the summit following an invitation by Angola's President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço.
Uhuru is the facilitator of the East Africa Community-led Nairobi Process on the Restoration of Peace and Stability in the eastern DRC.
He had in April cited a lack of trust between the various fighting groups as a major impediment to the realization of peace and stability in the Eastern part of DR Congo.
Uhuru raised concern that the situation remains of grave concern, particularly on the humanitarian and security aspects.
“The issue of trust remains fundamental to resolving the challenge of security in the eastern DRC. Therefore, it was clear that the Nairobi Process would have to intensify its confidence-building actions,” Uhuru said.
He also emphasized the need for support not only the political track of the Process but also the military track and to reinforce a neutral force to buttress the political efforts.
“The East African Regional Force must continue to enjoy the confidence of all parties if it is to be successful in its mandate. The role of the Regional Force as an inter-positional army would need to be re-emphasized and accepted by all parties," Uhuru said in a statement.
