NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 20 — President William Ruto is on Sunday set to depart the country for a one-day official visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
A statement from State House indicated President Ruto will hold bilateral talks with his host Felix Tshisekedi on the security situation in Eastern DRC, trade and investments and regional integration.
“Kenya is playing a crucial role as a member of the East African Community in support of the ‘Nairobi Peace Process’, that involves talks between the government of DRC and the armed groups in the Eastern part of the country, to restore peace and security in Eastern DRC. Kenya has also sent its troops for a peacekeeping mission in the region, as part of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF),” State House said.
President Ruto’s visit to DRC comes just few weeks after Kenya deployed 903 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops to the mineral-rich country to help fight the M23 rebels blamed for the perennial conflict in the country which has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced.
The troops joined a regional force that includes soldiers from Burundi, Uganda and South Sudan.
Armed groups in eastern DRC have stepped up attacks, reviving ancient animosities and unleashing a surge in tension with neighboring Rwanda.
With the country not having a shared border with DRC Kenyan forces are perceived to be the neutral arbiter in the ongoing peace stability quest.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed further said President Ruto will proceed on a three-day official visit to the Republic of Korea on Monday for bilateral talks with President Yoon Suk-Yeol.
Ruto will explore partnerships in key sectors of the government’s economic transformation agenda, including; agriculture, energy, infrastructure and public health.
The engagements will culminate in the signing of trade agreements between the two nations.
“Kenya will also advance negotiations to open markets for her exports as part of growing bilateral trade. Kenya and the Republic of Korea enjoy cordial ties founded on common values, mutual trust and benefit,” Mohamed stated.
