Uhuru Kenyatta Lands in Bujumbura for DRC Peace Talks

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has landed in Burundi ahead of peace talks on the ongoing crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The retired president will be attending the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government for peace and security talks on DRC. Uhuru is attending as the facilitator of the East African Community Nairobi's peace process. President Ndayishimiye’s deputy spokesperson Doriane Munezero said that Uhuru will be meeting  Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye. 

 “Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye is today meeting with Kenya’s former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is currently the EAC facilitator on the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said President Ndayishimiye’s deputy spokesperson Doriane Munezero. 

Mr Kenyatta has landed in Bujumbura alongside East African Community Secretary-General Peter Mathuki. Burundi's President had earlier hinted that the regional heads of defence forces will meet to chart an action plan to manage the security crisis in the east of DRC. Efforts by regional defence forces are geared towards containing M23 rebels whose confrontation with DRC forces has intensified in the recent past. 

The Kenya Defence Forces have already trooped into the region, a decision adopted by regional leaders at the third EAC Heads of State Conclave on Peace and Security in Eastern DRC. Meanwhile, Kinshasa blames Rwanda for endorsing M23 rebels. Rwanda has however denied the claims.