The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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President William Ruto has raised the alarm about the escalating crisis in Sudan, warning that the ongoing conflict is “heading towards carnage,” driven by two rival generals who show “no regard for human life.”
During a joint press conference with Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar at State House in Nairobi, Ruto described the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan as catastrophic, urging immediate regional and international intervention.
“The war in Sudan is already a human disaster, and the two generals have no regard for human life,” Ruto said, referring to Sudan’s ruling junta leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his rival General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as ‘Hemetti.’ Al-Burhan ousted Sudan’s long-time leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
Ruto emphasized that every effort must be made—both regionally and globally—to end the suffering and prevent further tragedy in Sudan.
His remarks came after months of international pressure, including sanctions imposed by the United States on General Hemetti for alleged genocidal actions against non-Arab communities. The U.S. accused Hemetti’s forces of committing ethnic killings and sexual violence, particularly in Darfur, leading to over 12 million displaced persons.
“The RSF and allied militias have systematically murdered men and boys—some even infants—on an ethnic basis and deliberately targeted women and girls for rape and other forms of sexual violence,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in January.
Peace Efforts and Challenges
Kenya has been actively involved in peace talks through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), although these efforts have been met with resistance from Sudan’s armed forces under General al-Burhan. The Sudanese leader rejected Kenya’s involvement, accusing Nairobi of bias.
Despite this, President Ruto has met with both generals and other Sudanese stakeholders to keep peace initiatives, including the Saudi-US-led Jeddah Process, moving forward.
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General al-Burhan, had previously opposed the Nairobi-led IGAD initiative, citing concerns over impartiality. Al-Burhan also objected to Ruto’s description of the conflict as a “fight between two generals.”
“Sudan is not concerned with the outcome of the meeting and is still awaiting a response from IGAD regarding Sudan’s objection to Kenya’s chairmanship of the committee,” Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in June 2024.
Despite these setbacks, Ruto continued his diplomatic efforts, meeting with both al-Burhan and other key Sudanese figures, including former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and Sudan Liberation Movement leader Abdulwahid Al-Nur.
In November 2024, Ruto secured a commitment from Hemetti for the RSF to engage in IGAD-backed peace talks in Jeddah.
