Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has denied claims that Kenya is interfering with the internal affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement on Sunday, Mudavadi who doubles as the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary said the government has commenced an investigation to determine the identities of persons who made the claims.
“The Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya refers to press reports that some nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo claiming association with rebel groups within DRC addressed a press conference in Nairobi and made statements that are prima facie inimical to the constitutional order of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Mudavadi stated
This comes hours after DRC recalled its ambassadors from Kenya and Tanzania on Saturday after a new Congolese military alliance that includes rebels was launched in Nairobi.
The Congo River Alliance was allegedly launched in Nairobi on Friday, led by Congolese politicians and groups including the M23 rebels, who have seized territory in eastern Congo, and Corneille Nangaa, a former Congo election commission chief.
Mudavadi says the groups utilised the freedom of speech in the country to address the media without engaging the government.
“The Ministry wishes to note that Kenya is an open and democratic state where freedom of the press is vouchsafed. As such, nationals and non-nationals may engage the Kenyan media without reference to the government,” Mudavadi noted.
“Kenya strongly disassociates itself from any utterances or activities likely to injure the peace and security of the friendly Nation of DRC and has commenced investigation to determine the identities of the makers of the statement and the extent to which their utterances fall outside constitutionally protected speech. Kenya further affirms its non-involvement in the internal affairs of DRC and commits to continue supporting the peace, security, and democratic consolidation of the country.”
DRC rebels
VOA reports that Nangaa, who was sanctioned by the US for corruption and obstructing the 2018 election, said the alliance would bring together various Congolese armed groups, militias, social and political organizations.
“I am looking for a lasting solution; all communities must live together in Congo,” Nangaa told Reuters on Saturday.
Congo is due to hold presidential and legislative elections on December 20.
