Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi has openly criticized Kenyan President William Ruto, accusing him of mishandling the Nairobi Process. This initiative, initially launched by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, was designed to facilitate dialogue with armed groups in eastern DRC and support disarmament and demobilization efforts.
President Tshisekedi contends that President Ruto’s approach has derailed the process. He alleges that Ruto has shown favoritism towards Rwanda, a stance Tshisekedi believes has impeded progress. Despite several meeting cycles, the initiative has stagnated since the third round of talks in December 2023. This criticism highlights the growing tensions between the DRC and Kenya.
Kinshasa has previously voiced its dissatisfaction with the East African Community (EAC) force’s response to the M23 rebellion. The DRC government has accused the EAC force of failing to take adequate action within its mandate. The situation further deteriorated when Nairobi announced the formation of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a political-military group linked to the M23. Kenya’s refusal to arrest AFC leader Corneille Nangaa exacerbated the conflict, prompting the DRC to recall its ambassadors to Kenya and the EAC for consultations.
President Tshisekedi’s criticisms underscore the strained relations and the complex dynamics at play in the eastern DRC conflict. The Nairobi Process, once seen as a beacon of hope for peace and stability, now faces significant challenges due to these geopolitical tensions.