NAIROBI — Kenya has called on the United States and Qatar to maintain their support for a unified regional and international peace process aimed at ending the prolonged conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized the importance of the merged Nairobi and Luanda peace frameworks, now backed by both the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He said the African Union has endorsed the integration of the two tracks to streamline coordination and improve mediation outcomes.
“The African Union supported this merger to enhance coordination, harmonization, and complementarity of the two processes, and has backed the appointment of additional facilitators in consultation with the AU Commission,” Mudavadi stated.
Mudavadi acknowledged Qatar’s direct role in recent talks involving the DRC, Rwanda, and the M23 rebel group. He noted the Gulf state’s efforts have moved the needle in talks that had stalled.
“Qatar’s mediation demonstrated through its peace proposal and hosting of high-level negotiations reflects a strong commitment to international peace and security,“ he said.
He highlighted the March 18 trilateral meeting in Doha, hosted by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and attended by Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda. According to Mudavadi, the meeting helped reduce tensions and laid groundwork for sustained dialogue.
The U.S. also received Kenya’s praise for helping broker a recent agreement between Rwanda and the DRC. The pact includes commitments to halt support for armed groups, uphold national borders, and establish a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism.
Mudavadi noted that the agreement sets terms for the dignified return of displaced people and opens avenues for regional trade. He described the U.S. involvement as essential to tackling the roots of conflict in the region.
“Continued support from international partners remains crucial if we are to see these commitments through,” he said.
Kenya has urged all signatories to honor the terms of these accords. Mudavadi acknowledged that the conflict in eastern DRC spanning decades remains complex and deeply rooted.
“While there have been meaningful gains, the challenges in eastern Congo require sustained, coordinated, and locally adapted efforts,” he said.
He reaffirmed Kenya’s position that peace efforts must remain African-led, but stressed that outside backing plays a critical role.
“The combination of African leadership and international cooperation is the key to addressing the region’s challenges effectively,” Mudavadi said.
Kenya’s stance reinforces a broader African Union strategy to avoid protracted crises and prevent the DRC from becoming another long-neglected conflict zone on the continent.
The message from Nairobi is clear: peace in the Great Lakes region cannot wait, and neither can the world.
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