National

Sudan recalls Kenya envoy over RSF leader General Mohamed Dagalo's visit

President William Ruto (right) when he held talks with the leader of Rapid Support Forces Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo at State House, Nairobi on January 3, 2023. (Photo: PCS)

By Dennis Tarus | Friday, January 5, 2024

The General is currently in South Africa where he met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria.

Sudan on Thursday recalled its ambassador to Kenya Kamal Gubara in protest of the visit by the Commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo by President William Ruto earlier this week.

In a statement carried by the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) on Thursday, Sudan's acting foreign minister Ali al-Sadiq said the ambassador had been recalled "for consultations in protest of the official reception organised by the Kenyan government for the leader of the rebel militia."

Keep reading

The minister said those consultations would "cover all possibilities for the outcome of Sudan's relations with Kenya."

The RSF has been at war with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since last year April.

Ruto on Wednesday hosted Gen Mohamed at State House, Nairobi for talks which the Kenyan Head of State said were focused on the conflict in Sudan and how warring factions can come together and agree to negotiate a way out of the raging political disagreement.

President Ruto soon after meeting Gen Mohamed said Kenya appreciated the commitment of the RSF "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," he added.

Gen Mohamed said his discussions with Ruto focused on the latest developments in Sudan, "examining the root causes of the war and exploring solutions to alleviate the crisis and the suffering of our people".

"I presented our strategy to cease hostilities and start negotiations for a comprehensive resolution," he said on X.

African tour

The Nairobi visit is the latest part of an African leg tour by the RSF leader which has seen him already visit Djibouti, Ethiopia and Uganda.

Gen Mohamed is currently in South Africa where he met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria on Thursday.

The clashes between RSF and SAF have left more than 12,000 people killed in the fighting, according to a statement by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in early December.

The United Nations says more than seven million people have been internally displaced by the war, while another 1.5 million have fled into neighbouring countries.