Kenya Calls For Dialogue In Eastern DRC, Rejects Military Intervention

President William Ruto has called for dialogue between the two sides of the Eastern DRC conflict that has seen millions displaced from their homes in Goma City by M23 rebels.

Ruto, also the East African Community Chair, while speaking in Tanzania on Saturday called for an immediate end to hostilities as regional leaders gather in Arusha for a crucial peace summit.

“We call on all parties to actualise the ceasefire, and specifically on the M23 to halt further advancement and the armed forces of DRC to cease all retaliatory measures,” stated Ruto.

“An immediate ceasefire is the only way by which we can create necessary conditions for constructive dialogue and implementation of a comprehensive peace agreement,” he added.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese leader Félix Tshisekedi are both in attendance at the high-stakes meeting in Tanzania, bringing together leaders from the eight-member East African Community and the 16-nation Southern African Development Community in efforts to resolve the Eastern DRC conflict for lasting peace.