Ruto at the centre of the escalating Sudan wrangle after Meeting With Sudan General Hamdan Dagalo
President William Ruto is once more in the midst of the intensifying dispute in Sudan involving military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his paramilitary adversary General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
Following Ruto’s hosting of Dagalo at State House, Nairobi, in January, General Fattah’s administration has taken the step of recalling Sudan’s ambassador to Kenya just a few days later.
On Thursday, January 4, Sudan’s acting foreign minister, Ali al-Sadiq, stated that the recall of the envoy was a protest against the reception accorded to Dagalo in Nairobi.
The minister conveyed Sudan’s dissatisfaction with the welcoming of the paramilitary leader in light of the ongoing conflict instigated by the paramilitary group against General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
“Sudan has recalled its ambassador to Nairobi for consultations in protest against the official reception organized by the Kenyan government for the commander of the rebel militia when he visited Kenya on Wednesday.
“Nairobi has forgotten the terrible violations committed by the rebel forces and the destruction they caused to the country’s infrastructure, capabilities, and citizens’ property,” the Minister stated.
On January 3, Dagalo was warmly welcomed with a red carpet reception at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where he was received by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and other government officials.
Subsequently, he participated in a meeting at State House with Ruto, who expressed appreciation for the General’s dedication to seeking peace with Burhan’s faction.
“Kenya appreciates the commitment of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in ending the conflict in Sudan through dialogue.
“The ongoing Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) talks should bring about a political settlement that would effect a lasting peace in the country. We are looking forward to nothing but a peaceful resolution and a stable neighbour,” Ruto stated.
Significant diplomatic tensions arose during Dagalo’s visit to Kenya, leading to the postponement of his scheduled press conference at a city hotel. According to Dagalo’s aides, the last-minute cancellation was attributed to his busy schedule in Nairobi.
It’s noteworthy that the Kenyan President has now met both Sudanese leaders in Kenya. In November of the previous year, he hosted military leader Gen. Abdel-Fattah Al Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, in Nairobi. T
his meeting took place after Burhan accused Ruto of harboring Dagalo in Nairobi, which Ruto denied. Despite calls from Burhan’s faction to replace Ruto as the mediator in their conflict, he was eventually replaced by a team led by IGAD officials, bringing relief to Burhan.
However, recent tensions, highlighted by Sudan recalling its ambassador, may necessitate IGAD officials to reevaluate their strategies and devise a new path forward. As of now, Kenya has not officially responded to the matter.
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Ruto at the centre of the escalating Sudan wrangle after Meeting With Sudan General Hamdan Dagalo
