Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has received fresh instruction from the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat over the political tension in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which is threatening to spill over to the neighbouring country of Rwanda.
In a statement, Faki expressed deep concerns over the continued tension in the Eastern part of DRC calling for immediate de-escalation.
To facilitate the de-escalation process, the African Union Commission directed Uhuru to convene a dialogue between leaders from DRC and Rwanda.
Through the dialogue, the African Union Commission President asked Uhuru to help develop frameworks that would bring to an end the conflict between the two nations.
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"The President of the African Union Commission HE Moussa Faki Mahamat is deeply concerned by the continued tension in the East of the DRC and reiterates his call for rapid de-escalation," the statement read in part.
"He calls on the leaders of the region, particularly those of the DRC and Rwanda, to favor dialogue within the framework of the two African mechanisms led respectively by HE Joâo Lorenzo President of the Republic of Angola, and HE Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of Kenya, purposes of agreeing, in a fraternal collaborative spirit, on a reasonable approach to resolving political disputes whatever their nature," it added.
Faki made it clear that military intervention would not be allowed in the region as proposed by some of the leaders thus giving Uhuru the ultimate task of resolving the conflict.
"The integrity, security, sovereignty and stability of all States in the region must be ensured and the lives of civilian populations fully protected," Faki noted.
"The President of the Commission strongly recalls that there will be no military solution to the problems and differences within the African family."
At the same time, Faki warned other nations against interfering with the peace process led by Uhuru.
This came a day after the US government warned Rwanda and DRC saying that they "must walk back from the brink of war," as tensions between the neighbours ratchet up.
"Parties to the conflict and regional actors should immediately resume the Nairobi and Rwanda [peace] processes — diplomatic efforts, not military conflict, are the only path for a negotiated solution and a sustainable peace," said Robert Wood, an American envoy to the U.N., at an emergency meeting concerning the DRC.
The Nairobi peace process is led by Uhuru who has been at the forefront in trying to bring to the table the warring parties.
