Ruto, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken Hold Talks over Sudan

May 1, 2023: Kenya and the United States have held talks over the situation in Sudan.

President William Ruto and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed ways to end the crisis.

President Ruto thanked the US and Saudi Arabia for their help in negotiating a ceasefire.

He said Kenya will focus its efforts on alleviating the humanitarian crisis.

“Kenya will work closely with UN agencies and other organisations to coordinate, scale up and deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan. The ceasefire will guarantee that this happens smoothly.”

The President had earlier in the day held talks with UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations on delivering food, water and medicine to the people in Sudan.

The President also met with former Sudan Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

“Our focus is to also work with civilian leaders and the population to make a contribution to the resolution of the conflict. The transition in Sudan was to lead to civilian and democratic governance.”

UN Warns of humanitarian crisis

Earlier, President Ruto convened a virtual meeting with the heads of the United Nations agencies and other partners to mount a response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The meeting resolved that it is imperative to find ways to provide humanitarian support to the people of Sudan “with or without a ceasefire”.

“The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached catastrophic levels. The protagonists have declined to heed the calls by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the international community to cease fire,” the President said.

“Consequently, water, food and medicines are in short supply. Internally, the number of displaced people keeps rising as many more flee to neighbouring countries.”

The meeting was attended by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed, African Union Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat and former Prime Minister of Sudan Abdallah Hamdok.

The UN Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mr Martin Griffiths, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Mr Filippo Grandi and Daniel O’Malley from the International Committee of the Red Cross also attended the meeting.