Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of hypocrisy in its efforts to broker peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking during a church service on Sunday, February 2, Gachagua criticized Ruto’s administration for what he termed as pretending to create peace abroad while ignoring pressing security concerns at home.
“It is pointless, Mr. President, for you to pretend to be creating peace in DRC when your government is abducting and killing our children. It doesn’t make sense; that is pretence.
"How are you concerned about the insecurity in DRC when under your very watch, your government is abducting and killing our young children?” he said.
Gachagua's remarks come amid rising concerns over alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the country.
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Ruto has been at the centre of efforts to restore peace in the Eastern DRC through diplomatic engagements and regional collaboration.
On Monday, January 27, he held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, who expressed support for regional initiatives addressing the crisis.
"I have spoken to President Emmanuel Macron of France on the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He has expressed support for the regional efforts to deal with the challenge," he said.
Additionally, in his capacity as the current chairperson of the East African Community (EAC), Ruto has been proactive in convening regional dialogues to address the conflict in the eastern DRC.
He held a summit of EAC heads of state to deliberate on the escalating situation and to formulate collective strategies for peace and stability in the region.
"The summit called on all parties to the conflict in Eastern DRC to cease hostilities and observe immediate and unconditional ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian access to the affected population.
"For peaceful settlement of the conflicts, and strongly urged the government of the DRC to engage directly with all stakeholders, including the M23 and other armed groups that have grievances," a communiqué from the summit read in part.
The meeting was attended by Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi) and Salva Kiir (South Sudan).
DRC's Felix Tshisekedi did not attend the meeting.
