Sudan unhappy after Kenya referred to conflict as ‘fight between two generals’

KHARTOUM, JUNE 19, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The Sudanese government was on Monday angered after Kenyan President William Ruto described the ongoing conflict in the country as a ‘fighting between two generals.”

In an invitation letter to foreign ministers of the quartet countries involved in the IGAD peace efforts in Sudan, Ruto described the conflict as “fighting between two generals” and called for end to the bloody conflict which has killed at least 2000 people and displaced millions, according to the United Nations.

Sudan in reaction expressed furry on the description of the conflict that way and reiterated its rejection of Kenyan leader of the IGAD mediation, saying Kenya supports and harbor the rebellious Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

“The haste shown by the Kenyan government in dealing with this file and the statements issued by its officials, which indicate that it is guided by international initiatives, do not serve the principle of African solutions to African problems,” it added.

The foreign ministry statement further expressed its “categorical refusal” to Kenyan government’s  decision “to characterize the conflict in Sudan as a fight between two generals. This is a misnomer between the institution of the national armed forces and the group rebelling against it.”

“The Kenyan government’s handling of the mediation file in this way contradicts basic principles For IGAD, which is to respect the sovereignty of states,” it added.

Sudan plunged into a deadly conflict on April 15 after the RSF – supported by the Russian Wagner group and the United Arab Emirates – launched attacks on government and army positions in the capital Khartoum.

IGAD, a regional bloc comprising Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, rushed to launch peace initiatives selecting Kenyan President William Ruto as the chief negotiator.

Sudan has opposed the Kenya leader of the mediating team, claiming that the east African country has supported and harbored leaders of the Rapid Support Forces. Kenya has not yet responded to the  Sudanese claims.