Kenyan leader pledges to help restore political stability in DRC

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Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday expressed his country's commitment in helping the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) achieve political stability.

Kenyatta, who held talks in Nairobi with his DRC counterpart President Felix Tshisekedi, said Nairobi has learned valuable lessons from past political tensions, which the country is willing to share with the Great Lakes nation.

"We will continue to help you achieve peace and stability because we have had similar experience which we can share. Our country has been able to calm down political temperatures through the famous Building Bridges Initiative," he said in a statement issued after the meeting.

Tshisekedi arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday for the second-leg of his three-nation maiden tour that has taken him to Angola.

Kenya is his second destination since taking over the reins from long serving Joseph Kabila in late January. The newly elected leader will then leave for Republic of the Congo to hold talks with President Denis Sassou Nguesso.

During the meeting, Kenyatta said Kenya has for decades hosted Congolese refugees, some of whom have since been adopted as Kenyans, adding that the two countries have a lot to share in terms of cultural heritage.

"Many Congolese have lived in Kenya and the country has adopted some of the Congolese music which has now become part of our life," he told his visiting counterpart.

Kenyatta congratulated Tshisekedi for winning the December 30, 2018 election, saying the peaceful transfer of power in DR Congo is a sign that Africa has now matured and that it can sort out its problems without external influence.

Kenyatta also lauded the citizens of Congo for their maturity in how they conducted the last election and urged them to unite and develop their country.

During their talks, the two leaders explored ways and means of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Tshisekedi thanked Kenyatta for being a true friend of DR Congo as demonstrated by Kenyatta's recent visit to the country to attend the Congolese leader's inauguration ceremony.

He said Congo would forever cherish Kenya's friendship as it has continued to support the country's road to political and social stability.

He acknowledged the important role played by the port of Mombasa to the economic wellbeing of Congo, saying his country is willing to join the East African Community (EAC) so as to deepen its economic ties with the region. 


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