Ruto Speaks to French President Emmanuel Macron Over DRC Crisis

President William Ruto held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, January 27, amid an escalation in fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

President Donald Trump’s appointee contacted Ruto seven days after being sworn in to affirm the US’ support for Kenya.

According to a statement from the Head of State, the two discussed regional peace and security, with Secretary Rubio praising Kenya’s efforts to promote regional stability.

In his statement, Ruto, the current chairperson of the East African Community (EAC), appealed for US support to end the conflict in the DRC, a member of the EAC. 

Ruto updated Rubio on the security situation in Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia. “I am glad that the US has committed to continue deploying its capabilities to support Kenya’s peace mission in the region,” Ruto stated.

“The Secretary also reiterated the importance of Kenya’s role in promoting regional peace and security in Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and the DRC,” Rubio’s spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, stated.

According to Ruto, President Macron committed his country’s support to the interventions being carried out to end the conflict and to Kenya’s participation in other peace initiatives in Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan.

On Monday, thousands fled the city of Goma, the largest city in Eastern DRC, as fighting raged between Congolese forces and rebels said to be backed by neighbouring Rwanda, who claimed to have captured eastern Congo’s largest regional hub.

There were reports of pockets of chaos, and gunfire had some people hunkering down as the rebels marched into the city with a population of about 2 million.

In the call, the two leaders discussed the need to conclude the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STRIP) agreement, which seeks to increase investment and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth by unlocking existing economic opportunities.

Kenya has expressed confidence it will reach the much-awaited trade agreement with the US over the next few months, and the talks between Ruto and Rubio are an indication the Trump White House remains keen on the deal.

Earlier this month, Principal Secretary for Trade, Alfred K’Ombudo, remained adamant that Kenya will seal the deal in the coming months. “The relationship between Kenya and the US transcends administrations,” K’Ombudo said in an interview with Bloomberg on Friday, January 17.

He added, “We have a very strong history of informal trade and investment cooperation, and we do expect that we should pick up these discussions over the next few months.”