Ruto rules out military fix, backs broad, inclusive talks in Sudan crisis

Ruto emphasised that the warring parties must abandon the illusion that battlefield victories can impose political order

by JAMES GICHIGI

News25 November 2025 - 09:50

In Summary

President Ruto said the prolonged fighting between rival factions in Sudan has devastated communities, destroyed public infrastructure, paralysed basic services and triggered one of the continent’s worst humanitarian crises in recent years.
Millions have been displaced, while critical facilities—including hospitals, schools and utilities—have been damaged or rendered inoperable, he noted.

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President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya’s position that the conflict in Sudan cannot be resolved through military means, insisting that only a broad and inclusive political process can deliver lasting peace for the war-torn nation.

Speaking after a meeting with European Union Council President António Costa in Luanda, Angola, Ruto said the scale of destruction, humanitarian suffering and loss of life demands a shift from armed confrontation to dialogue-driven solutions.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the 7th African Union–European Union Summit, where regional security and Africa-EU cooperation dominated discussions.

Ruto said the prolonged fighting between rival factions in Sudan has devastated communities, destroyed public infrastructure, paralysed basic services and triggered one of the continent’s worst humanitarian crises in recent years.

Millions have been displaced, while critical facilities—including hospitals, schools and utilities—have been damaged or rendered inoperable, he noted.

The Head of State emphasised that the warring parties must abandon the illusion that battlefield victories can impose a durable political order.

“We agreed that Sudan needs an inclusive political settlement that brings in all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, and other national actors. A military path cannot deliver lasting peace,” he said.

He reiterated Kenya’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to help facilitate such talks.

The President called on the EU to continue supporting diplomatic efforts under the AU, IGAD and other mediation tracks, noting that fragmented initiatives risk prolonging the conflict.

He argued that a coordinated, unified approach rooted in inclusivity and legitimacy stands the best chance of delivering a meaningful settlement.

Beyond Sudan, Ruto used the meeting to highlight the evolving Kenya-EU relationship, describing the partnership as long-standing, robust and mutually beneficial.

He noted that relations were significantly strengthened by the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which came into force in July 2024.

Under the deal, Kenya enjoys duty-free and quota-free access to the EU’s 450-million-person market—an opportunity he said will boost Kenyan exports, especially agricultural products, and stimulate economic growth.

Ruto urged the EU to support Kenya’s push for reforms within the African Union, arguing that the continental body must be modernised to effectively represent Africa’s collective interests in global governance.

"We call on the EU to support our agenda of reforming the African Union so that it can be fit-for-purpose as Africa's unified and effective voice. Europe’s experience and technical strength can help us build an AU that responds to the needs and aspirations of our people," he said.

Europe’s experience in regional integration, he added, could offer valuable technical support in retooling AU institutions to better serve the continent’s needs and aspirations.

The meeting underscored Kenya’s growing diplomatic engagement on regional peace and continental reform, as well as its commitment to leveraging global partnerships for economic advancement.