US welcomes Uhuru's appointment as peace envoy, says 'his work will be crucial'

The U.S. Department of States' Bureau of African Affairs has welcomed the appointment of former President Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya's peace envoy to the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region.

In a Twitter statement on Friday, the Bureau noted that Uhuru will continue to play a crucial role in pushing for negotiations and peaceful resolutions of any conflicts that are ongoing or yet to occur in the aforementioned regions.

In his ten-year reign as President, Uhuru was significantly involved in peace talks in Ethiopia, South Sudan, DR Congo and Somalia.

"We welcome the appointment of Uhuru Kenyatta as peace envoy for the conflict in Northern Ethiopia and in Eastern DRC. A critical time for both conflicts - his work will be crucial," the Bureau of African Affairs tweeted.

The Bureau is responsible for advising the Secretary of State on issues relating to sub-Saharan Africa. It seeks solutions in three key areas, including the consolidation of democratic gains among African nations, expanding economic growth and stemming the spread of HIV and AIDS.

During his inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, President William Ruto tasked Uhuru to be in charge of the peace initiatives that Kenya has been undertaking across the said region.

In his maiden address to the Nation after being sworn in as Head of State, President Ruto pointed out that Uhuru had done a commendable job in steering peace initiatives, especially in Ethiopia and Great Lakes Region which comprises of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R.C.), Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Ruto thus announced that he had requested his predecessor to be the country's peace envoy in the region, a mandate that he (Uhuru) accepted.