Ruto Slams Sudan’s Warring Leaders, Denies RSF Support in Al Jazeera Interview

President William Ruto of Kenya has once again offered a blunt assessment of the devastating conflict in Sudan, declaring that the country’s warring military leaders—General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti)—are incapable of bringing peace.

In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, President Ruto was uncompromising, stating:

“My position is that the two generals have no solution for Sudan. The conflict is a governance issue needing political dialogue, not military means.”

Ruto’s comments reinforce Kenya’s long-held position that the war is not merely a military skirmish but a deep-seated political crisis that cannot be resolved through force. He stressed that relying on continued armed conflict only ensures further destruction for the Sudanese people.

The President also took the opportunity to forcefully address persistent and politically charged claims that Kenya has been meddling in the war by providing arms or hosting facilities for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Dagalo.

Ruto unequivocally labeled these allegations as “false and politically motivated.”

Nairobi’s stance has often put it at odds with the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), led by Al-Burhan, who have previously accused Kenya of favouring the RSF. Ruto’s denial seeks to maintain Kenya’s official posture as an impartial regional mediator committed solely to dialogue and a civilian-led solution.

Ruto’s push for a political solution comes as the war, which erupted in April 2023, enters its third year with catastrophic consequences. The conflict has triggered one of the world’s most severe crises, with staggering figures underscoring the urgency of the situation:

• Displaced Persons: Over 10 million people have been forcibly displaced, creating the largest displacement crisis globally.
• Hunger Crisis: The war has provoked the world’s largest hunger crisis, affecting an estimated 25 million people who require urgent humanitarian assistance.

By criticizing the military leadership, President Ruto is aligning his diplomatic efforts with the international community’s growing frustration over the generals’ disregard for civilian life and their repeated failure to adhere to ceasefires.