Former President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, in his capacity as East African Community Peace Process Facilitator for Eastern DRC, met this Thursday, January 12, 2023, at Mombasa, an M23 delegation. The former Kenyan president therefore spoke with Bertrand Bisimwa, one of the leaders of the rebel movement. The latter was accompanied by several members of the M23.
The meeting took place this Thursday in Mombasa. The former Kenyan president therefore spoke with Bertrand Bisimwa, one of the leaders of M23. This was followed by a press release, published by the regional organization, which assures that the rebellion has agreed to continue its withdrawal from the areas now occupied. in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu.
A withdrawal that had been decided at a meeting of heads of state in the region in Luanda, Angola, in November. Since then, the M23 has ceded several of its positions to EAC forces: in Kibumba, about twenty kilometers from Goma, on December 23, but also on January 6, Rumangabo military campone of the largest Congolese armed forces camps in the region.
Civil society still doubtful
A withdrawal whose effectiveness is still disputed by civil society in North Kivu, which ensures that the rebels are still visible in these areas. She also believes that the security situation does not yet allow the return of populations. Different analysis from the EAC which states on the contrary ” that stability and security has increased over the past four weeks » and that of « many people » went home.
Finally, the last point mentioned in this press release: the Nairobi consultations between the armed groups and the Congolese authorities. The fourth round should, according to the EAC, be held in eastern DRC in February. However, there is no mention of the planned presence of the M23, although the movement has been excluded from previous discussions.
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Former President of the Republic of Kenya, HE Uhuru Kenyatta, AU-Kenya peace Envoy and EAC Facilitator of the East Africa Community – Nairobi Process on peace and security in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on Thursday, 12th January 2023 held a consultative meeting. .. pic.twitter.com/e13K5MxUkL— Office of the 4th President of Kenya?? (@4thPresidentKE) January 12, 2023