Pay row delays conclusion of DR Congo peace talks

In order to help bring peace to the DRC, Kenyatta said, "We know we have enough funds, and I know because I was one of the people who helped source the money."

Pay row delays conclusion of DR Congo peace talks

A portion of the delegates walked out in protest over unpaid allowances and other concerns, forcing the official closure of the Democratic Republic of the Congo peace talks in Nairobi to be postponed on Monday.

For the first time during the process, representatives of the DR Congo government, significant rebel groups, conflict survivors, and civil societies came together for the week-long talks led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In an effort to address the issues brought up, Mr. Kenyatta, who was scheduled to make some declarations at the conclusion of the meeting, begged the delegates to agree to a postponement of the meeting until Tuesday.

In order to help bring peace to the DRC, Kenyatta said, "We know we have enough funds, and I know because I was one of the people who helped source the money."

He cautioned the conference organizers that there might be repercussions if the money wasn't released when it was initially scheduled.

The talks are intended to establish strategies for reestablishing peace in eastern DR Congo, where more than 120 armed groups are engaged in conflict.