Sudan Recalls Ambassador To Kenya After William Ruto's Meeting With Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo

• Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq recalled their ambassador for consultations in protest of William Ruto's meeting with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan 'Hemedti' Dagalo
• The minister condemned Ruto's administration, accusing it of not acknowledging abuses committed by the RSF during the Sudanese conflict
• Before the meeting, Sudan’s Sovereign Council President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had warned African states against welcoming the RSF leader

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - President William Ruto has sparked a diplomatic row with Sudan following his much-publicised meeting with Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan 'Hemedti' Dagalo.

In posts shared on X, Ruto shared photos of the meeting with the paramilitary leader, explaining that he had committed to ending the conflict in Sudan.

"Kenya appreciates the commitment by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in ending the conflict in Sudan through dialogue," Ruto said.

How did Sudan react to Ruto, Dagalo meeting

Days after the meeting that was billed to ruffle feathers, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq has recalled their ambassador in Kenya.

In a statement to the Sudan News Agency, Al-Sadiq stated the recalled its ambassador for consultations in protest of Ruto's meeting with Hemedti.

He further condemned Ruto's administration for failing to acknowledge abuses committed by the RSF during the conflict in Sudan.

"Kenya, which has been accused of supporting the rebellion in Sudan, hosting its leaders and supporters, and conspiring with hostile regional powers against Sudan," said the minister, as reported by Sudan News Agency.

Prior to the meeting, Sudan’s Sovereign Council President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had warned against welcoming the RSF leader.

How the Sudanese crisis started

RSF and the Sudanese army have waged a civil war in the country over the legitimate representative of the Sudanese state.

Burhan had previously turned down mediation offered by four members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which was chaired by Kenya's head of state.

Ruto has been advocating for the end of the violence in Sudan, which broke out on April 15, 2023, and for the creation of a humanitarian corridor and a durable truce through parallel mediation forums.

What's the aftermath of the Sudanese crisis

TUKO.co.ke earlier reported that Ruto expressed his worst fears over the ongoing military conflict in Sudan.

In an interview with France 24 on Friday, June 23, Ruto observed that the conflict was slowly becoming a genocide.

He criticised the two military leaders at the centre of a power struggle that has seen plans to hand over power to a civilian authority postponed.