By John Ikani
Sudan has rejected Kenya’s leadership of a mediation delegation established by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) to resolve the ongoing conflict.
The Sudanese foreign ministry firmly stated, “We informed Igad that we rejected the chairmanship of Kenya in the Sudan crisis committee because Kenya was not neutral.” Sudan expressed concerns over Kenya’s lack of impartiality in the matter.
Sudan’s foreign ministry further emphasized its position by pointing out the statements made by senior Kenyan officials and the behaviour exhibited by the Kenyan government.
According to the pan-Arab Al Arabiya TV channel, Sudan’s foreign ministry stated, “the statements of senior Kenyan officials and the behaviour of its government confirmed that it adopts the positions of Rapid Support Forces (RSF), shelters its members, and provides them with various types of support.”
This assertion highlights Sudan’s scepticism towards Kenya’s neutrality.
On the other hand, Kenya has not yet received any formal communication regarding the rejection.
Korir Sing’oei, the Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, clarified that the appointment of Kenyan President William Ruto as the head of the delegation was made during the Igad summit and could only be overturned by the same summit.
Sing’oei defended the decision, emphasizing that President Ruto’s appointment was a collective agreement.
President Ruto, who has openly criticized the war in Sudan, has engaged with envoys from both the Sudanese army and the RSF in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.
His stance on the matter has been clear, with him previously urging the rival generals to “stop the nonsense.”
Despite his efforts, clashes between the Sudanese army and RSF have entered their second month, and a resolution seems elusive.
The Igad delegation, led by President Ruto, comprises representatives from Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Djibouti.
The summit held on June 12 saw the appointment of President Ruto to this crucial role.
However, with Sudan’s rejection, the mediation process faces a significant setback.
The region awaits further developments and hopes for a resolution to the conflict soon.
