Crisis as rebel groups storm out of DRC peace talks in Nairobi over unpaid allowances

The week-long talks spearheaded by former Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta brought together representatives of the DRC government, major rebel groups, survivors of the conflict and civil societies for the first time in the process.

The former Head of State was appointed by the East African Community as the facilitator of peace talks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The dialogues are meant to create avenues for bringing back peace in eastern DRC where more than 120 armed groups are fighting.

There was a scheduled announcement by Mr Kenyatta at the end of the meeting but that was affected after a faction of rebel groups staged a walkout claiming they have not been properly engaged in the peace process. They also lamented over the lack of payment of allowances.

An angry Kenyatta pleaded with the delegates to allow him to postpone the meeting to Tuesday as he tries to address the concerns raised.

"I would like to postpone this meeting and ask we meet here tomorrow," he said. "We know we have enough funds and I know because I was one of the people who helped source the money to help in bringing peace to the DRC."

He assured the delegates that all the issues will be addressed by the time the meeting starts at 10 am adding that if that does not happen, he will ensure that no other funds will be released for the peace talks.

Mr Kenyatta said he will report the people who were in charge of organizing the page talks to their leaders.

"Nitawashtaki kwa wakubwa wao, wanafikiria mimi sio mkubwa…" he said. (Maybe they think I am no longer powerful but I have the ear and attention of their leaders so they better bring what is your rightful dues."