Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto’s chief envoy for peace in Ethiopia and the Great Lakes Region flew into DRC and was within 20Km radius where M23 and DRC forces are battling each other.
Pictures shared online show Kenyatta in Goma, Eastern DRC, meeting people who have fled the fighting between government troops and M23 rebels.
Mr Kenyatta has been holding talks with the Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi, in a bid to end the conflict and resolve tensions with Rwanda which is accused of supporting the rebels.
The former head of state was shocked by the situation he witnessed and strongly denounced the humanitarian crisis facing the people of North Kivu.
“All these children, mothers and old people we have seen have become strangers in their country. Whatever our differences, let us have pity on them and stop the war before we start talking,” he said in an emotional appeal.
Mr Kenyatta spoke to the displaced warriors who complained about the precariousness in which they are living.
“What I have seen is a catastrophe, what I have seen will be a humanitarian disaster if we are not careful. This war must be stopped immediately,” urged the former head of state.
Many families are arriving every day from Rutshuru, particularly from the Kibumba and Muhumba groups, and are staying in schools, churches and public spaces in Nyragongo territory in North Kivu.
According to Constant Ndima, the military governor of Goma, there are an estimated 38,440 displaced people including children. Since the beginning of the clashes, more than 200,000 people have already fled their localities.
On Tuesday, hundreds of people poured into Goma, following the panic created by a false alarm that announced the presence of rebels in the city.
Regional forces have been deployed to fight M23.
Kenya will send a second batch of soldiers today.
Uganda and South Sudan are also planning to send troops.
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