Presidents Kiir, Kagame discuss Rwanda-DR Congo tensions

President Salva Kiir and Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Thursday held a consultative meeting on de-escalating conflicts and tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa.

In a communique published by the East African community secretary general Peter Mathuki, the meeting discussed the state of peace and security in the East African community.

"They noted that peace and security is a pre-requisite to social and economic development within the community and vital to the achievement of the objectives of the community," the communique read.

They emphasized on the need to implement the EAC-led Nairobi and Luanda peace process to avert the conflict in the Eastern DRC which risks spilling over to neighbouring partner states.

It added that the meeting called on partner states to comply with their obligations as enshrined in the treaty for the establishment of the East African Community.

Luanda Process which is led by Angola's President Joan Lorenco seeks to calm tensions between Rwanda and DRC. The two countries blame each other for fomenting rebellions against their authorities. The Nairobi Process, on the other hand, is a dialogue push led by former president Uhuru Kenyatta in an attempt to pacify warring factions inside the DRC by bringing them to the table.

DRC violence

Following the renewed violence in recent weeks between the Congolese army and the resurgent M23 rebels, geopolitical tensions between DRC and Rwanda are on the rise.

In January 2024, Rwanda accused DRC of reneging on the provision of the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes aimed at restoring peace in the Eastern part of the country as Kinshasa continues to shun responsibility.

Burundi accused President Paul Kagame of funding rebel attacks which closed its borders on January 11, 2024.

This came after Red Tabara, a Burundian rebel group, killed 20 people near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo in December 2023.

Rwandan president Paul Kagame denied the accusations but he had already been branded a 'bad neighbour' by Burundi.

After visiting Kigali, President Kiir will proceed to Bujumbura, Burundi, to meet his EAC predecessor, president Evariste Ndayishimiye.

Kiir will make a final leg of the visit to DRC, where he will hold similar discussions with President Felix Tshikedi.

He will then convene an EAC summit, with the view of mending relations between states and resolving conflicts in the regions after concluding the three-nation peace tour.