Sudan conflict top agenda as Guterres meet Ruto, UN heads

He will also hold talks with President William Ruto at State House

In Summary
  • While in the country, Guterres will chair this year's first session of the UN system Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB).
  • Later in the evening, the UN chief will hold talks with President William Ruto at the State House.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua in the Nairobi on May 3, 2023.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua in the Nairobi on May 3, 2023.
Image: COURTESY

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in the country, Wednesday for a two-day state visit.

While in the country, Guterres will chair this year's first session of the UN system Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB).

The board meets twice a year and brings together leaders from UN agencies, funds and programmes.

It is the highest-level coordination forum of the UN system.

"Top on his agenda is the security and the humanitarian situation in Sudan," Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said in a statement.

He is also expected to address the press on a wide range of issues facing the region.

Later in the evening, the UN chief will hold talks with President William Ruto at the State House.

His visit comes in the wake of sustained calls for a ceasefire between the fighting groups in Sudan.

More than 500 people have been killed and tens of thousands forced to leave their homes within the country or across borders since a long-simmering dispute between the armed forces and the RSF erupted into violence on April 15.

Guterres has appealed to the rival generals to stop the fighting.

The fighting, he said, has already led to "horrendous loss of life" and that any further escalation could be devastating for the country and the region.

"Those with influence over the situation must use it to support efforts to end the violence, restore order & return to the path of transition," he said recently.

He told the UN Security Council, "The conflict will not and must not be resolved on the battlefield with the bodies of Sudan's people".

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