Former President Uhuru demands expedited peace talks as Eastern DRC crisis deepens

Through his Spokesperson Kanze Dena, Kenyatta, as the facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Process, noted there is an urgent need for renewed peace talks between the warring States.

The EAC-led Nairobi Process is a regional peace initiative aimed at resolving the conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

He also noted that an earlier ceasefire negotiated was dishonoured, slowing down peace and diplomatic negotiations agreed in the peace process.

"Despite efforts to maintain dialogue between Kenyatta, (Congo President) Felix Tshisekedi and the M23 rebels the political situation in Eastern DRC became increasingly unstable," Kanze stated.

Kenyatta now wants the two nations to embrace dialogue and agree on a ceasefire deal to quell the heightening clashes.

His address comes ahead of the planned joint meeting between the EAC and SADC regional blocs.

The meeting, to be held in Tanzania, will be co-chaired by President William Ruto, the EAC chairperson, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

President Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame have confirmed attendance.

The Rwandan-backed M23 invaded Goma and its outskirts in late January, making lightning advances to grab territory and expand its control over North Kivu province's lucrative coltan, gold and tin ore mines in fighting that has worsened one of the world's most dire humanitarian crises.

The group says it exists to protect Congo's ethnic Tutsi population. Congo's government says it is a Rwandan proxy.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame's government has long denied supporting M23, despite findings to the contrary by numerous United Nations expert reports.