President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta were on Friday reunited at State House, Nairobi, during a high-level meeting aimed at advancing peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The two leaders, who last shared a public platform on December 9, 2024, when Ruto paid Uhuru a courtesy visit at his Ichaweri home in Gatundu, came together once again under the framework of a joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) initiative.
The closed-door meeting brought together regional leaders and peace facilitators to assess progress and chart the way forward for the DRC peace process, which has faced numerous challenges due to prolonged conflict in the eastern part of the country.
President Ruto co-chaired the meeting alongside Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who currently chairs SADC. The presence of former President Kenyatta was significant, given his role as the EAC facilitator for the DRC peace process. Their joint appearance underscored a sense of continuity and collaboration between the current and former administrations on matters of regional stability.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also held a brief meeting with Kenyatta on the sidelines, reflecting Kenya’s continued efforts to consolidate diplomatic support for the mission.
Other notable attendees included African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and former Presidents Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, and Mokgweetsi Eric Kabetswe Masisi of Botswana. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, another key figure in African mediation efforts, joined the discussions virtually.
The Nairobi meeting comes at a critical time, as both EAC and SADC seek to harmonize their efforts in stabilizing the DRC, where armed groups have destabilized the eastern regions, displacing millions and creating a humanitarian crisis. By bringing together a diverse panel of African leaders and mediators, the meeting aimed to strengthen regional consensus and align strategies for long-term peace.
Friday’s gathering not only highlighted Kenya’s central role in continental diplomacy but also marked a rare moment of unity between Ruto and Kenyatta, signaling the importance of transcending political differences in pursuit of regional stability.
