The East African heads of state are meeting in Nairobi to discuss the current deteriorating security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who is also the chairman of East African Community convened the third East African Community Heads of State conclave slated for Monday, June 20, 2022 in Nairobi to discuss the security situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I have arrived in Nairobi, Kenya for the 3rd East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Conclave on the peace and security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),”President Yoweri Museveni confirmed his arrival for the third conclave in Nairobi, Kenya.
South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir Mayardit arrived shortly after his the arrival of his counterpart the Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye.
“The prospects for all the people of the East African Community are tied to a shared prosperity of all the Member states living in a state of peaceful co-existence and good neighborliness,” President Uhuru asserted.
He added acknowledged that the situation of peace and security particularly in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is preponderant.
“The people have long suffered and continue to pay an inordinately heavy price in loss of lives, property and elusive,” He said.
Last week, President Uhuru used his power as the EAC chairman to activate the deployment of a regional force to fight the M23 rebel group in the east of the country.
DRC authority on Sunday announced it had welcomed the decision but excluded neighboring Rwanda’s participation.
On Sunday, military chiefs from seven East African countries met in Nairobi, to discuss the rising tensions between the two neighbors.
On Friday, DRC closed its border with Rwanda after a Congolese soldier was shot dead while attacking border guards inside Rwandan territory.
Two Rwandan police officers were injured when the Congolese soldier crossed the border and opened fire, before an officer on duty fired back and killed him 25 metres inside Rwanda, the Rwandan military said in a statement.
