Clash between Ruto and Uhuru in Addis Ababa

Clash in Addis Ababa: Mediation Attempts to Reconcile Ruto and Uhuru A clash occurred in Addis Ababa between Kenyan President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta during a mediation effort. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had convened the meeting to reconcile the two leaders and revive the stalled peace talks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The meeting took place behind closed doors on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in mid-February 2026. It was intended to end hostilities and revitalize negotiations in the DRC—to which Uhuru Kenyatta reports under AU headquarters. Instead, it degenerated into a heated exchange. The meeting was a high-stakes intervention initiated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other regional leaders. The goal was to reconcile the two Kenyan presidents, whose personal animosity, according to an African Union study, represented the biggest structural obstacle to peace efforts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. There was palpable bitterness in the room. The accused reportedly confronted his predecessor with evidence that, he claimed, proved Uhuru was undermining his government. He linked Uhuru to the Generation Z revolts of 2024 and the resurgence of the opposition coalition Azimio. Uhuru's response was to deny these accusations, but countered that his government had not treated him with the dignity and protocol befitting a former head of state. He argued that political opposition was not the same as subversion. Even the official communications surrounding the meeting highlighted the rift. A photo of the two leaders with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was released by Uhuru's team, but President Ruto's official channels conspicuously omitted it—a single, blatant oversight that spoke volumes. This feud is more than just a personal dispute; it has directly undermined Kenya's role as a neutral mediator in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Uhuru is a member of the mediation body of the AU, the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This role requires smooth communication with Ruto's government. Instead, diplomatic dialogue has ground to a halt, jeopardizing peace efforts in a region already mired in a humanitarian catastrophe. The root cause lies in a broken political agreement. Ruto served as Uhuru's deputy for ten years, reportedly with the understanding that Uhuru would support his succession. Instead, in 2022, Uhuru supported Raila Odinga, and the wounds have yet to heal. Since his resignation, Uhuru has remained active, supporting opposition leaders for the 2027 elections, which Ruto's camp views as a coordinated political insurrection. The failed mediation has left the region in a precarious position. As one diplomat put it, "Africa cannot afford to have its most experienced mediator nation paralyzed by a personal feud. The Democratic Republic of Congo is bleeding. Kenya is embroiled in disputes." Abiy Ahmed intervened directly, acting as arbiter amid accusations and violations of diplomatic protocol. Their conflict has paralyzed peace efforts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and damaged Kenya's regional diplomatic standing. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2593621180772599/posts/3892778674190170 Clash in Addis: Inside mediation efforts to reconcile Ruto and Uhuru, nation Africa 39th Ordinary Session of AU Summit: William Ruto Meets Uhuru in Ethiopia as Kenya Politics Heat Up, tuko.co.ke