Sudan's RSF top commander visits Kenya for talks with Ruto

President William Ruto with Sudan's Rapid Support Forces General, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, at State House, Nairobi. [PCS, Standard]

President William Ruto has called on the warring parties in the Sudan conflict to embrace dialogue and work towards the attainment of lasting peace.

The President lauded proponents of the Jedda initiative for agreeing to work with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) when he met the leader of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo at State House, Nairobi.

He observed that IGAD and the African Union are well-positioned to mediate in the Sudan situation.

"The Jedda talks should bring about a political settlement that would bring a lasting solution to the people of Sudan," he said.

He commended General Hamdan and the RSF for their commitment to ending the conflict in Sudan through dialogue.

"There cannot be a permanent solution without the involvement of RSF," he said.

The President said that Kenya is prepared to go the extra mile to ensure peace is restored in Sudan.

"Kenya is not looking for anything other than a peaceful resolution and a stable neighbour," he said.

On his part, General Hamdan commended Kenya for its efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan.

He expressed their support for IGAD resolutions, describing them as the roadmap to achieving lasting peace and stability.

"My position has always been to get an AU solution through IGAD," he added.

General Hamdan highlighted the Sudanese people's eagerness for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

"The people of Sudan aspire for peace, and those displaced long to return home," he said.

Gen Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, said on social platform X that he had outlined his "vision regarding stopping the war and starting negotiations" with the Sudanese army.

Gen Dagalo has been on a charm offensive, visiting several regional leaders - including Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed - in a bid to gain the political upper hand over his rival army chief, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

He has also held talks with Sudan's former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, promising to free hundreds of prisoners and opening humanitarian corridors so that aid could get into areas affected by the conflict.

Gen Dagalo and Gen Burhan jointly seized power in a coup in 2021, derailing Sudan's transition to democracy under Mr Hamdok.

The two men fell out last year, plunging the country into a civil war has left thousands of people dead and millions displaced.

The RSF controls much of the capital Khartoum, the city of Wad Madani, and most of the western Darfur region.