NAIROBI Kenya December 17 -Kenya has distanced itself from the Friday launch of a new Congolese military alliance in Nairobi by Congo opposition figure and a leader of the M23 rebel group.
The move comes just a day after the DRC expressed disappointment that the opposition figure announced his subversive movement in Kenya, despite the fact that Kenya is working with DRC to restore peace to the east of the country.
Diplomatic Relations
In a move to forestall further deterioration of diplomatic relations, Foreign Affairs and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Sunday said detectives had launched investigations to determine the identities of the makers of the statement and establish if they committed any offence.
DRC also on Saturday recalled its ambassador to Kenya, John Nyakeru, amid deepening tension between the two countries following the launch of Alliance du Fleuve Congo (Congo River Alliance) that also includes rebels.
Kinshasha has also recalled its head of mission in Tanzania Pierre Masala over what has been described as “for consultations”, according to Alain Tshibanda, the spokesperson for Congo’s Foreign Ministry.
Congolese Opposition figure Corneille Nangaa, who is also the former head of Congo’s electoral commission, announced the formation Congo River Alliance to “save the country.”
He was accompanied by M23 (March 23 Movement) ‘president’ Bertrand Bisimwa.
M23 (March 23 Movement) ‘president’ Bertrand Bisimwa
President Felix Tshisekedi had already declared that Nangaa is being used by Rwanda president Paul Kagame and that Rwanda is fueling the M23 rebellion.
Mudavadi in a statement on Sunday stated that Kenya is committed to investigating the origins of the misleading claims.
“Kenya strongly disassociates itself from any utterances or activities likely to injure the peace and security of the friendly Nation of DRC and has commenced investigation to determine the identities of the makers of the statement and the extent to which their utterances fall outside constitutionally protected speech,” he said.
On Saturday, the DRC also summoned Kenyan Ambassador to Congo for an explanation about the formation of the political group in Kenya which it says is threatening DRC and its stability.
Mudavadi also made it clear that Kenya had no involvement in the meeting.
“Kenya further affirms its non-involvement in the internal affairs of DRC and commits to continue supporting the peace, security, and democratic consolidation of the country,” said the CS.
He added Kenya is an open and democratic state that upholds free press, hence may not interfere with media engagements by nationals and non-nationals.
“The Ministry wishes to note that Kenya is an open and democratic state where freedom of the press is vouchsafed. As such, nationals and non-nationals may engage the Kenyan media without reference to the government,” he added.
Nangaa called for “the union of all political, social and military forces” to “rebuild the state” and restore peace in the impoverished conflict-torn Central African nation.
He added that at least 9 armed groups, including M23, had already joined him in his “Congo River Alliance” project for national unity and stability.
The US has also condemned Nangaa’s move, saying they were deeply concerned.
The US ambassador to the DRC Lucy Tamlyn said that her country was deeply concerned by the creation of the new alliance which brings together a dozen political parties in DRC, more than 200 political figures, and armed groups from North and South Kivu, Maniema, Ituri and Katanga.
“The threats by the Alliance du Fleuve Congo are an affront to the Congolese people as they prepare to peacefully exercise their civil and political rights enshrined in the Congolese Constitution,” she said.
She added: “We call on all actors genuinely interested in the bringing an end to the conflict in Eastern DRC to comply with the African-led regional peace initiatives, notably Luanda and Nairobi processes.”
There has been rising tension between Rwanda and the DRC over Kigali’s alleged support for the M23 which is primarily Congolese Tutsi group.
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