Ruto, Salva Kiir meet during Riyadh summit

President William Ruto has met with South Sudan President Salva Kiir on the sidelines of the ongoing Saudi-Africa summit in Riyadh.

The President expressed appreciation owing to the relations and ties that Kenya and South Sudan share. 

He noted that these have resulted in the shared prosperity of the citizens of both nations.

"In particular, the joint infrastructure projects will enhance integration and boost regional trade," he said.

During the Saturday meeting, Ruto commended the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Jeddah processes in their bid to restore peace in Sudan.

This is despite setbacks during the first round of talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF)failed to agree on a ceasefire.

In a press statement released on Tuesday, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development said the co-facilitators regretted that the parties were unable to reach a deal.

It said there is no acceptable military solution to the conflict. 

Saudi Arabia and IGAD - on behalf of the African Union, and the United States - had called upon the SAF and RSF to put the Sudanese people first, silence the guns, and seek a negotiated end to this needless war. 

IGAD said the talks in Jeddah remain focused on facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance, establishing ceasefires and other confidence-building measures, and building toward a permanent cessation of hostilities.