Kenya, AU welcome US-brokered DRC, Rwanda peace deal despite African Solutions mantra

The place of ‘African Solutions to African Problems' has been questioned as Kenya and the African Union have welcomed the US-brokered Rwanda-DRC peace deal. 

The Donald Trump intervention has been interpreted by some players in the peace process as a ‘hostile takeover’, rendering the African-led processes irrelevant.

Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’Oei commended Rwanda and DRC for the agreement signed in Washington on Friday, saying its dividends will accrue to the people of these two countries, the region and the world.

“The involvement of the United States in this process has been a vital success factor building on the foundational efforts by the heads of states of EAC-SADC,” Korir added.

AU chairperson Mahmoud Youssouf termed the deal a historic development that marks a significant milestone in collective efforts to restore regional peace, stability and cooperation.

“The chairperson commends the leadership and political will demonstrated by President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda in prioritising dialogue and regional solidarity over conflict,” he said.

While Youssouf recognised efforts played by regional players – among them Angola President João Lourenço who led the Luanda process, the EAC, SADC and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region – he also acknowledged the role of other external players.

“The chairperson expresses sincere appreciation for the constructive role played by the State of Qatar, whose diplomatic efforts and support for dialogue created a conducive environment for confidence-building between the parties. Qatar’s commitment to promoting peace and its partnership with African-led initiatives is highly valued.

“Additionally, the chairperson recognises the support of the United States of America, whose diplomatic engagement and encouragement of peaceful resolution contributed meaningfully to the success of the negotiations. The USA’s support reflects the importance of strong international cooperation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding in Africa,” the AU statement said.

The AU remains committed to promoting African-led solutions to African challenges in line with the spirit of ‘Silencing the Guns in Africa’ by 2030 and the aspirations of Agenda 2063, although international affairs analysts point to US interests in the deal.

President Trump said he was able to broker the deal and with it access to minerals in the DRC.

"I was able to get them together and sell it," Trump said. 

"And not only that, we're getting for the United States a lot of the mineral rights from Congo."

Diplomatic sources have told the Star that following the hostile takeover of the mediation process by the Trump administration, the EAC-led initiative is effectively grounded.

The EAC-led Nairobi peace process was launched in April 2022 as a regional peace initiative to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the eastern DRC. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta was appointed facilitator.

“These people took over the process and when that happens and you are not engaged, you also take a step back. It is not that the former President is not engaged. He is engaged based on his personal conviction for a peaceful region, but he has reduced on the travel and meetings,” the source said on condition of anonymity as they do not speak on behalf of the initiative and Uhuru.

The diplomatic source said by the time of the takeover, the initiative had made commendable progress, which was hijacked by Trump’s “selfish interests in minerals”. 

Also attributed to the stalling of the initiative is the “ego” of Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi, who “did not want to listen to what was being said and recommended locally”, instead opting for Qatar and the US intervention.

“The Biden administration had a different approach which was ‘let the initiative take the lead…it is making considerable progress and we will offer support. But with the change of the administration was different – with Trump seeking to have a more controlling role in the interest of the minerals,” the source added.

While the EAC-SADC summit on the DRC crisis in February directed the merger of the Luanda [AU-led to facilitate talks between DRC and Rwanda] and Nairobi peace processes, the regional leaders noted that the two processes were both critical. 

Resultantly, the leaders resolved to strengthen them individually to “enhance complementarity”.

In his report to the joint summit, Uhuru – in his capacity as the EAC peace facilitator – called for the resumption of the Nairobi process, which he regretted had been sidelined.

Uhuru is, however, still officially engaged in the AU-led Panel of Facilitators process.