The Kenyan capital Nairobi is hosting the latest round of peace talks between protagonists to the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Monday attended virtually the third round of the inter-Congolese dialogue under the East African Community-led Nairobi Process on restoration, according to an official statement seen by APA.
According to the EAC Secretariat, the third Inter-Congolese dialogue aims to accelerate the ongoing regional efforts to attain sustainable peace and security in Eastern DRC as elaborated by various efforts of the EAC regional leaders.
Commenting on the current situation in eastern DR Congo, Kagame observed that the primary reason for this persistent crisis is the failure to implement many agreements that have been reached at various levels and at different times in past years.
“I most sincerely believe that this time around, these efforts are going to bear good results,” he said.
In addition, the Rwandan leader also pointed out that what is needed more than ever, is a steady political will to implement the ongoing regional initiatives.
These include the East African Community-led Nairobi Peace Process and the African Union Mediation by President Lourenco of Angola.
The Luanda summit which took place on 23 November resolved that the M23 rebels, who are fighting the Congolese army in North Kivu province, shall withdraw from the occupied territories.
M23 have refused to stop their offensive, accusing Kinshasa of ethnic cleansing, claims the government has denied.
“It is in interest of all of us, to stay the course and not let the situation be a perennial problem” Kagame warned.
The M23 has requested a meeting with the mediator and the facilitator in order to discuss the matter of its concern over how to restore lasting peace in DR Congo.
In a statement issued earlier last week, the M23 said it has taken note of Luanda’s final communique of November 23 but condemns what it called a planned genocide by the DRC government and its allies.
The group warned that it shall not just stand idly by and witness the slaughtering of Congolese citizens.
CU/as/APA