Congo peace mediator expresses concern as regional troops ordered to leave

NAIROBI, Kenya

Peace mediator Uhuru Kenyatta expressed concern Tuesday about the escalation of hostilities in eastern Congo as regional troops were ordered to leave the country.

Kenyatta, the facilitator of the East African Community (EAC) led Nairobi Process on the restoration of peace and stability in eastern Congo, condemned the reported escalation of hostilities, killings, and displacements.

Kenyatta appealed “to all parties engaged in such acts to immediately cease their armed offensives and hostilities, so as to allow continued unhindered and sustained humanitarian access and to give a chance to a return to peace and the pursuit of a non-military solution to the crisis in the region through the EAC Led Nairobi Peace Process.”

The news clashes in the Masisi area of North Kivu province began Oct. 1.

The escalation comes as Congo President Felix Tshisekedi ordered regional troops to leave the country by December, a year earlier than previously scheduled.

Tshisekedi justified his decision by citing their inefficiency in coping with rebellions and armed conflicts in the Congo.

Regional troops are under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

The EAC has been mediating peace talks between the government and rebel groups, but negotiations have made little progress.

The government has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which is responsible for recent clashes. Rwanda has denied the allegations.

The UN has urged an immediate cease-fire in eastern Congo and expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in the region.

The international community has also called for an immediate cease-fire and for all parties to engage in talks.