Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora affairs issues statement on Kenya - DRC relations

Nairobi, 

Sunday, 17 December, 2023 

McCreadie Andias 

The Government through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora affairs has distanced itself from involvement in a DRC alliance rebel group that has resided and issues contradictory statements from Nairobi. 

In a statement released to the press on Sunday morning, Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign and Diaspora affairs Hon. Musalia Mudavadi has cleared the allegations insisting that Kenya and DRC maintains a rich diplomatic relations and Kenya will not be involved in the internal affairs of DRC. 

The CS noted that Kenya had not played a part in the meeting neither did the state, headed by President William Ruto, facilitate the press conference that saw the reports get to the press.

"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," read the statement in part.

"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."

The statement comes days after DRC recalled its ambassadors from Kenya and Tanzania after a new Congolese military alliance that includes rebels was launched in Nairobi.

The withdrawal of the ambassadors was announced by Congo's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Alain Tshibanda on Saturday, December 17, 2023.

The Congolese government had earlier summoned the Kenyan Ambassador to Congo a few hours before the withdrawal of their ambassadors.

This comes at a time when Kenya, through the East African Community Regional Force (EACR) taskforce, withdrew its troops in the region with the first batch of 100 soldiers leaving on December 3, 2023.