Ruto roots for stronger Kenya-DRC bilateral ties

President William Ruto with his DRC counterspart Felix Tshisekedi.[Source; Twitter, William Ruto]

President William Ruto has rooted for stronger bilateral ties between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Ruto, who is on a four-day state visit to DRC and South Korea, said that the discussions with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi were centred on establishing security, trade, and investment cooperation.

He communicated via his official Twitter account on Monday, November 21.

"Held talks with the Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, Palais du Peuple, Kinshasa; agreed to form a joint committee to elaborate the areas of cooperation focusing on security, trade and investment," he said.

Ruto said Kenya was committed to ending hostilities in the eastern DRC and the restoration of peace.

"Kenya reaffirms its support to restoring peace and sustainable stability in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region at large. Without peace, no country or individual can have the space to prosper," he said.

Ruto's visit to DRC comes after Kenya deployed special forces to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a regional force meant to track down rebels and restore order in the mineral-rich region.

The troops joined others from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania on the mission in Eastern DRC in a mission to flash out M23 rebels in the country.

Kenya is playing a crucial role as a member of the East African Community in support of the 'Nairobi Peace Process', that involves talks between the government of DRC and the armed groups in the Eastern part of the country, to restore peace and security in Eastern DRC.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the Facilitator of the EAC-led Peace Process in Eastern DRC is leading the peace talks.