President William Ruto has said the two warring factions in
Sudan — the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) — are
equally responsible for the country’s crisis and lack the capacity to restore
peace.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Ruto said both groups were
born out of the overthrow of a people’s government and share the same
militaristic approach to governance.
He argued that Sudan’s turmoil is not a military or security
issue but a governance problem that requires political solutions rather than
force.
“To Sudan, I hold the position that both RSF and SAF are cut
from the same cloth. They are a product of an overthrow of a people's
government,” Ruto said.
“These two generals have no solution for Sudan because both
of them believe in solving a problem using military means, which is not a
security problem. This is a governance problem.”
The Kenyan leader dismissed allegations that his government
has supplied arms to the RSF or facilitated secret meetings for its members in
Nairobi.
He said Kenya’s democratic nature allows people to meet and
express themselves freely, but it does not support or host criminal activities.
“That is absolutely false,” Ruto said in response to claims
of Kenyan involvement.
“Kenya, being a democratic country, we are often accused.
DRC accused us there were people meeting in Nairobi. Sometimes I don’t even
know they are meeting in Nairobi, because we are a free and democratic
country.”
Ruto emphasised that Kenya remains a hub for dialogue,
freedom of expression, and press freedom in the region.
He said many international journalists, including Al Jazeera
correspondents, operate freely in Nairobi, reflecting the country’s openness
and respect for civil liberties.
“We just deal with criminals, but people who are chasing
civil liberties, people who are looking for space to express themselves — we
have close to 1,000 journalists in Nairobi, including Al Jazeera. That’s the
only place people can find space to speak about their issues,” he said.
The president clarified that a recent meeting in Kenya
involving Sudanese representatives was not a gathering of RSF members, as
alleged, but a civil society dialogue involving religious and community
leaders.
“The (RSF) meeting that was there in Kenya was a meeting of
the civil society, church groups, Muslim leaders, women, and they were having a
conversation about their country,” he said.
“In Sudan, such meetings have been held in Tripoli and in
Addis Ababa.”
Ruto reiterated that Kenya will continue to promote peace
and dialogue across the region while maintaining its neutrality in Sudan’s
conflict.
He said the country’s democratic space provides a platform
for discussions aimed at resolving political and humanitarian crises without
resorting to violence.
