Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has condemned the establishment of an alliance by a Congolese opposition figure with rebels in Nairobi, leading to a diplomatic dispute with Kinshasa.

In a statement, Kenya’s retired head of state, who is the Facilitator of the East African Community (EAC)-led Nairobi Peace process, expressed his shock and dismay at the formation of the alliance.

“President (Rtd) (Uhuru) Kenyatta restates his support for the US-brokered ceasefire and continues to seek its indefinite extension to facilitate the peace-building process, put an end to the senseless killing, and alleviate the suffering of the people in the eastern DRC,” a statement from his office reads in part.

The Congo River Alliance, launched on Friday, includes DRC politicians and groups like the M23 rebels, who control territory in eastern DRC, and Corneille Nangaa, a former DRC election commission chief.

The alliance raises concerns in a region plagued by longstanding insecurity fueled by ethnic rivalries and resource disputes.

On Sunday, December 17, 2023, Kenya distanced itself from the formation of the alliance which triggered the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to recall its ambassador from Nairobi in protest.

“Kenya strongly disassociates itself from any utterances or activities likely to injure the peace and security of the friendly nation of DRC and has commenced an investigation,” said Musalia Mudavadi, the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary.

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The probe initiated by Kenya aims to identify those responsible for statements that are detrimental to the constitutional order of the DRC.

The diplomatic tensions coincide with heightened security concerns before the DRC’s presidential elections on December 20, amid renewed activity by M23 rebels in the eastern province of North Kivu.