President William Ruto has once again found himself at the centre of the escalating Sundan wrangle between military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his paramilitary rival General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
General Fattah's administration has recalled Sudan's ambassador to Kenya a few days after Ruto hosted Dagalo, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at State House, Nairobi, this January.
In a statement by Sudan's acting foreign minister, Ali al-Sadiq, on Thursday, January 4, it was noted that the envoy was recalled in protest of the reception Dagalo received in Nairobi.
The Minister expressed that Sudan was not pleased that the paramilitary leader was welcomed to Nairobi despite the continued fighting the paramilitary group had caused against General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
"Sudan has recalled its ambassador to Nairobi for consultations in protest against the official reception organized by the Kenyan government for the commander of the rebel militia when he visited Kenya on Wednesday.
"Nairobi has forgotten the terrible violations committed by the rebel forces and the destruction they caused to the country's infrastructure, capabilities, and citizens' property," the Minister stated.
Dagalo received a red carpet reception at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on January 3 and was received by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki alongside other government officials.
He was then hosted at State House for a meeting with Ruto, who appreciated the General's commitment to finding peace with Burhan's faction.
"Kenya appreciates the commitment of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo 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. We are looking forward to nothing but a peaceful resolution and a stable neighbour," Ruto stated.
Notably, diplomatic tensions were witnessed while Dagalo was still in Kenya, even as his scheduled press conference at a city hotel was postponed.
According to Dagalo's aides, the press conference was cancelled at the last minute owing to his tight schedule in Nairobi.
The Kenyan President has now met both Sudanese leaders in Kenya. In November last year, he hosted military leader Gen. Abdel-Fattah Al Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, in Nairobi.
Burhan met Ruto after accusing him of hiding Dagalo in Nairobi. Ruto denied the allegations even as Burhan's faction pushed for his replacement as the mediator in their conflict.
It was thus a relief for Burhan when Ruto was replaced by a team led by IGAD officials. However, the recent tensions marked by Sudan recalling its ambassador may require IGAD officials to reassess their strategies and draft a new way forward.
Kenya has yet to respond officially over the matter.
