US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President William Ruto on phone/FILE
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with President William Ruto on phone to discuss the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
They emphasized that there is no military solution to the conflict and called for an immediate ceasefire.
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to discuss the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the unacceptable capture of Goma and Bukavu by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group," Bruce’s statement read in part.
"They emphasized that there is no military solution to the conflict and called for an immediate ceasefire. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to pushing for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis."
Ruto said the two also discussed the situation in the Republic of Sudan and Kenya’s crucial role in providing a platform for key stakeholders including political parties, civil society, and other actors to engage in a process aimed at stopping the tragic slide of Sudan into anarchy and ensuring a pathway towards sustainable peace.
Earlier, on February 7, President Ruto had also spoken with Rubio regarding Kenya’s support mission in Haiti.
"We
reviewed bilateral relations between Kenya and the US and reaffirmed our mutual
commitment to strengthening our existing cooperation," Ruto said in a
social media post at the time.
Friday’s call between Ruto and Rubio came as the Chiefs of Defence Forces (CDFs) from East African Community (EAC) member states convened in Nairobi to discuss the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC.
The meeting was organized following a directive from the joint EAC-Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State Summit held earlier this month in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Ahead of the meeting, the EAC Defence Experts Working Group held two days of discussions to lay the groundwork for further deliberations.
In her opening remarks, EAC Secretary-General Veronica Nduva emphasized that the Nairobi Process remains the primary mechanism for supporting the DRC government and its citizens.
While acknowledging the challenges, she expressed optimism that ongoing efforts could lead to lasting peace, security, and stability by addressing the root causes of the conflict.
"The Community is committed to resolving the conflict in eastern DRC, and we rely on you—the experts in defense and security. I am confident that you will provide the necessary steps that will ultimately lead to a solution," Nduva stated.
