By Andrew Wasike
NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday hosted talks with head of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, in a renewed effort to push for a lasting peace in the war-torn country.
The meeting came amid heightened fears of further conflict following clashes between the RSF and the Sudanese army since mid-April 2023.
“Kenya is not looking for anything other than a peaceful resolution and a stable neighbor,” Ruto said.
He called on the warring sides in the Sudan conflict to embrace dialogue and work to attain lasting peace.
For his part, Daglo said: "My position has always been to get an AU (African Union) solution through IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development)."
He was referring to IGAD resolutions that call for an immediate cessation of violence and human rights abuses in Sudan.
The resolutions support a Sudanese-led political process to establish a transitional government and ensure free and fair elections, also urging the release of political prisoners and protection of fundamental rights.
A statement released by the Kenyan presidency after the meeting said: "Kenya appreciates the commitment by the Rapid Support Forces and its leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to ending the conflict in Sudan through dialogue."
According to the UN, over 12,000 people have died, and more than 33,000 have been injured due to the conflict. It said approximately half of Sudan's population, equivalent to 25 million people, will require humanitarian assistance in 2024.
Dagalo’s visit to Nairobi is part of a regional tour that saw him visiting Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Uganda in recent weeks.