Moses Wetang'ula talked with former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday about making peace in East Africa. They mainly discussed how to stop fighting between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. This peace work matters greatly for the troubled Great Lakes area.
Obasanjo serves as one of five respected African leaders pushing forward the Nairobi-Luanda peace plan for eastern DRC. The other peace team members include former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta from Kenya, Kgalema Motlanthe from South Africa, Sahle-Work Zewde from Ethiopia, and Catherine Samba-Panza from the Central African Republic. Both the East African Community and Southern African Development Community asked these leaders to help bring calm back to the region.
President William Ruto led the first meeting of these peacemakers on Tuesday. He explained their job and what people expect them to accomplish as they start their important work. Obasanjo mentioned he has worked on peace deals since the 1960s, saying, "It was the same problem we are dealing with right away. We must find a solution." His comment shows how urgent fixing this long conflict remains.
Wetang'ula agreed, based on his earlier work with DRC peace talks. He remembered teaming up with the late Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa back in 2009 to encourage talking and healing in the area. "The same problem exists 14 years later," Wetang'ula pointed out. He believes African countries must create their lasting solutions through high-level talks and strong political teamwork for the region to enjoy peace and grow economically.
Obasanjo serves as one of five respected African leaders pushing forward the Nairobi-Luanda peace plan for eastern DRC. The other peace team members include former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta from Kenya, Kgalema Motlanthe from South Africa, Sahle-Work Zewde from Ethiopia, and Catherine Samba-Panza from the Central African Republic. Both the East African Community and Southern African Development Community asked these leaders to help bring calm back to the region.
President William Ruto led the first meeting of these peacemakers on Tuesday. He explained their job and what people expect them to accomplish as they start their important work. Obasanjo mentioned he has worked on peace deals since the 1960s, saying, "It was the same problem we are dealing with right away. We must find a solution." His comment shows how urgent fixing this long conflict remains.
Wetang'ula agreed, based on his earlier work with DRC peace talks. He remembered teaming up with the late Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa back in 2009 to encourage talking and healing in the area. "The same problem exists 14 years later," Wetang'ula pointed out. He believes African countries must create their lasting solutions through high-level talks and strong political teamwork for the region to enjoy peace and grow economically.
