Launched by the East African Community (EAC) in April 2022, the Nairobi Process aimed to address the conflict in eastern DRC, with former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed as the mediator.
M23 representatives had initially attended the talks but were expelled by the DRC government, which accused them of reigniting fighting in the Rutshuru territory.
However, M23 denied the accusations, calling them an excuse to exclude the group from the dialogue.
Subsequent talks held in Luanda, Angola, and Rwanda urged the DRC to engage in direct dialogue with M23.
Initially, the DRC rejected this proposal but later indicated that if dialogue were to occur, it would be based on the Nairobi Process.
On December 20, 2024, M23's political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, declared that the group would not engage in discussions that do not involve direct talks with the government of Kinshasa.
'Our organization reaffirms its commitment to peacefully resolving the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC through direct and sincere dialogue with the Kinshasa regime, in addressing the root causes of the conflict,' reads part of the statement.
'We also wish to clarify that our organization is not willing to participate in any dialogue with the militias and the coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime,' the statement adds.
M23's rejection of these talks comes as the group continues to control significant swaths of eastern DRC.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/m23-maintains-stance-on-direct-negotiations-with-drc
