Sudan, on Monday, initiated the process of replacing President William Ruto with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir as the lead mediator in the war-torn country.
The process took a huge leap after Sudan's army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrived in South Sudan on Monday for talks with its leaders.
Upon landing in Juba, South Sudan, Gen. Fattah's delegation made it explicitly clear that his faction would remain steadfast in rejecting Kenya's chairmanship of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) quartet group.
Sudan's Acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Ali al-Sadiq, explained to reporters that they believed South Sudan was better suited to mediate the Sudanese conflict.
“We in Sudan feel that South Sudan is the best country to meditate the conflict in Sudan because we have been one country for so long, and we know each other,” Al-Sadiq stated.
The foreign affairs minister further noted that Sudan was justified in rejecting Ruto since they are in a better position to understand their own problems and who is best placed to help them solve them.
Compounding on the matter is the fact that South Sudan has already agreed to be the lead mediator, leaving President William Ruto in a tough diplomatic position.
“Peace in Sudan means peace in South Sudan, and as you know, it is known that President Kiir is the only person who has intimacy and knowledge about Sudan and can find a solution to the Sudanese crisis,” Sudan Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia Lomuro stated.
Lomuro further added that Kiir was better placed to handle the conflict since he had a solution in his hands to resolve the conflict.
Both Gen Fattah and Salva Kiir did not address the media as they retreated to high-level discussions.
Sudan's Sovereign Council announced that the two leaders would meet to address matters related to bilateral relations, Sudan's development, and mutual concerns.
The armed conflict in Khartoum, which began on April 15, pits the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Ruto was elected on June 13, as the chair of the quartet group tasked with ending the conflict that had led to loss of lives and property.
The quartet includes; Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and South Sudan.
In June, the al-Burhan faction stated that it would not partake in any peace meeting convened by Ruto. The country criticised Ruto accusing him of having vested interests, interfering with the country's affairs and supporting the opposite faction.
