[PHOTOS] Ruto chairs first IGAD meeting on Sudan peace process

President William Ruto on Monday chaired the first Intergovernmental Authority on Development meeting on Sudan peace process in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The assembly focused on how to stop hostilities between the two warring sides; Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces and to enable humanitarian aid access.

Ruto noted that the situation in Sudan is dire, adding that so far more than 2.9 million people have been displaced.

Those who have lost their lives are more than 2,000. 

"The intensity and scale of the humanitarian crisis is a harrowing calamity," he said.

The meeting comes after Sudan rejected Ruto's appointment as IGAD's head of peace mission in the country.

Sudan's Army General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said Kenya was not neutral and continues to harbour leaders of the RSF rebels.

Kenya was elected as chair of the IGAD quartet to resolve issues in Sudan on June 12, 2023, in Djibouti.

Present during Ruto's meeting were Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed, IGAD executive secretary Workneh Gebeyehu, UN secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths.

Others were Djibouti Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and representatives from South Sudan and parties to the conflict.