Nairobi Peace Facilitator Uhuru Kenyatta has touched down in Kampala, launching a fresh diplomatic offensive to salvage the fragile peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As violence escalates in North Kivu, the former President’s arrival signals a renewed urgency from the East African Community to silence the guns.

The mission is clear: breathe life into the stalling Nairobi Process before the region slides into a wider conflict. Kenyatta’s presence in Uganda underscores the gravity of the situation, with the M23 rebellion and allied militia groups continuing to destabilize the Great Lakes region. This visit is not merely procedural; it is a desperate bid to bring warring factions back to the table as the humanitarian toll mounts.

The Kampala Strategy

Sources close to the talks indicate that Kenyatta is set to hold high-stakes closed-door meetings with key regional power brokers. The focus is on enforcing the ceasefire agreements that have been repeatedly violated in recent months. The former Head of State remains the region’s most potent diplomatic weapon, carrying the weight of the African Union and the East African Community behind his mandate.

• Violated Truces: Previous agreements have crumbled under the weight of mistrust, with both Kinshasa and rebel groups trading accusations of aggression.
• Regional Pressure: Uganda plays a pivotal role in the logistics and intelligence of the region, making it a critical staging ground for these talks.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Displaced populations in Eastern DRC are facing a catastrophic hunger crisis, ramping up the moral pressure on leaders to find a solution.

A Test of Diplomacy

Critics argue that the Nairobi Process has been long on promises and short on implementation. However, Kenyatta’s team remains adamant that a political solution is the only viable path forward. "The gun has failed to bring peace for three decades," a senior aide remarked. "It is time to let dialogue lead."

As the meetings commence, the eyes of the continent are fixed on Kampala. The outcome of these days could determine whether 2026 becomes a year of reconciliation or a descent into total war for the DRC.