On December 15, Kenya announced the creation of a political-military movement called “Congo River Alliance” on its soil. This news quickly sparked a reaction of discontent from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is still awaiting explanations from Kenya. In a recent press conference, Peter Kazadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, expressed the Congolese government’s concern about this situation during a crucial electoral period in the country.
Kazadi stressed that both countries are members of the United Nations and the East African Community (EAC), and have responsibilities and rules to follow as sovereign states. He strongly condemned the fact that a friendly country could serve as a basis to destabilize another country. In response to this situation, the Congolese government recalled its ambassadors to Kenya and the EAC.
Kenyan President William Ruto responded to the incident by saying that Kenya is a democratic country where criminals are arrested, but not people who make “democratic” statements. This response did not satisfy the Congolese authorities, who insist that Kenya open an in-depth investigation to understand why this movement was created on its soil.
According to Corneille Nangaa, former president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), the Congo River Alliance brings together several armed groups from Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Katanga, as well as political parties and political figures. This alliance therefore raises serious concerns about stability and peace in the region.
In the context of the ongoing elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this situation adds an additional dimension of concern and complexity. It is essential that neighboring countries work together to ensure stability and security in the region, in order to enable transparent and democratic elections.
In conclusion, the Congolese government’s expectation of responses and explanations from Kenya highlights the importance of cooperation between neighboring countries to preserve peace and stability in the region. This case highlights the challenges facing African countries in terms of security and the fight against armed groups, and the need for close cooperation to address them.