Sudan, on Monday, initiated the process of replacing President William Ruto as the mediator in the war-torn country. Sudan aims to replace Ruto with South Sudan President, Salvar Kiir.
The process initiated by the Sudanese Army, took a huge step forward after Sudan’s army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrived in South Sudan on Monday for talks with its leaders.
Gen. Fattah’s delegation clarified that the faction would remain consistent with rejecting Kenya’s leadership in the mediation process. President Ruto was chosen as a mediator by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) quartet group.
Ali al-Sadiq, Sudan’s acting Foreign Affairs Minister, explained to the reporters that they believed South Sudan was better suited to mediate than Kenya in the Sudanese conflict.
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“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.
He further noted that Sudan was justified in rejecting Ruto since South Sudan is best placed to help them solve the problems within Sudan.
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South Sudan has also agreed to be the lead mediator in the conflict. Their acceptance has placed President Ruto in a difficult diplomatic position. Ruto has to decide whether he’ll be insistent on maintaining that position or he will withdraw from it.
“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.
Both Gen Fattah and Salva Kiir did not address the media as they retreated to high-level discussions among themselves.
Sudan’s Sovereign Council announced that the two leaders would meet to address matters related to bilateral relations, Sudan’s development, and mutual concerns.
Sudanese Conflict
The armed conflict in Khartoum, which began on April 15, is between 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 and supporting the RSF faction.
President Ruto later denied any and all accusations of him supporting the RSF. He stated clearly that Kenya was a neutral party in the war and was therefore in a position to mediate between the factions.
The war between the Sudanese Army and the RSF has been going on with citizens being caught in the crossfire of the war. The Sudanese Army has equally taken measures to intensify the fight and win against the RSF.
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