United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that he spoke with President William Ruto concerning the conflicts experienced currently in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“Spoke today with President William Ruto of Kenya to advance shared priorities, including ending the conflict in Sudan and advancing East African Community-led talks on eastern DRC.” Blinken stated.
Through a statement dated July 29, 2023, Blinken appreciated President William Ruto for Kenya’s contribution to regional peace and stability.
Blinken highlighted Kenya’s leadership in addressing the crisis in Sudan and advancing East African Community-led talks to ease tensions in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The US Secretary of state further called for peaceful and constructive dialogue to resolve political differences in Kenya.
In addition, Blinken and resident Ruto discussed Kenya’s positive consideration of leading a multinational force in Haiti.
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Sudan Crisis
The talk with US Secretary of state comes a week after one of the warring parties in Sudan accused Kenya of meddling in their internal affairs.
As such, they have even rejected Ruto as a mediator in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Moreover, President William Ruto was appointed as a lead negotiator by Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Summit held on June 12.
However, the Sudanese military rejected him and asked for South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to conduct the mediation process.
The conflict in Sudan is caused by a vicious power struggle between the army headed by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) headed by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
The two military heads of each force disagreed on the direction the country is going in and the proposed move towards civilian rule.
Haiti Crisis
Nonetheless, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Saturday, July 29, announced plans of sending 1,000 police officers to Haiti.
Also Read: UNHCR Agency Donates Ksh210b for Humanitarian Aid in Sudan.
This is part of Kenya’s efforts to help the Haiti to train its law enforcement and prevent it from being overrun by gangs.
“Kenya stands with persons of African descent across the world, including those in the Caribbean, and aligns with the African Union’s diaspora policy and our own commitment to Pan Africanism, and in this case to “reclaiming of the Atlantic crossing”,” Mutua stated.
