Kenya reaffirms USD 1m pledge to Sudan as Ruto pushes for dialogue to avert crisis
President William Ruto poses for a photograph at the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, on February 19, 2023.
Kenya has reiterated its call for a peaceful resolution to the Sudan conflict, emphasising that military solutions will not bring sustainable peace.
President William Ruto said that Kenya, along with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), remains committed to facilitating negotiations and has pledged $1 million in humanitarian aid to support Sudanese civilians.
“Kenya continues to urge the warring parties to recognise that military solutions if any do not bring sustainable peace. We encourage all Sudanese stakeholders to commit to a political resolution through genuine and inclusive dialogue,” President Ruto said.
He was speaking on Friday February 14 during the high-level humanitarian conference for the people of Sudan on the sidelines of the 38th ordinary assembly of the African Union.
Dr Ruto noted that Kenya, as a steadfast advocate for peace, along with Igad, remains fully prepared to support and facilitate efforts towards a negotiated settlement.
“It is also imperative that we work together to alleviate the suffering of our Sudanese brothers and sisters. At the humanitarian pledging conference for Sudan held in Paris in April 2024, Kenya pledged 1 million US dollars to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan. I am pleased to reaffirm that Kenya will fulfill this pledge as our demonstration of support to the Sudanese people,” the President assured.
He lamented that the conflict in Sudan, now in its 22nd month, has devastated a nation that, just four years ago, was on a promising path towards stability and self-sufficiency.
Tragically, he said, Sudan’s progress towards food security - once exemplified by record wheat harvests - has been reversed, leaving over half the population food insecure and millions on the brink of famine.
“This crisis is worsened by the massive displacement of civilians, with an estimated 11 million people forced to flee their homes. The collapse of healthcare systems, the spread of preventable diseases, and the deterioration of medical infrastructure have further deepened the humanitarian emergency.”
The crisis’ regional impact is equally severe, Dr Ruto noted, adding that neighbouring countries have continued to struggle with overstretched social services due to the growing refugee crisis.
This situation demands urgent regional and global intervention, he added.
The African Union has initiated various interventions guided by the AU Master Roadmap on Silencing the Guns in Africa for the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of Sudan.
The AU called on all key actors and neighbours of Sudan at the ministerial level to call for cessation of hostilities which later morphed into the expanded mechanism that was intended to coordinate all efforts in Sudan.
The various speakers reiterated the need for relentless and coordinated efforts to mobilize support, and called for an all-Sudanese inclusive political dialogue that will provide the opportunity to end the current conflict and put in place a consensual civilian transitional government that will holistically address the fundamental root causes of the conflict in Sudan.
The resolve to a military option aided by external interference has continued to contribute to fueling the war and impeded efforts to resolve the crisis.
President Ruto said that the obstruction of humanitarian access by the parties to the conflict is unacceptable.
“We call upon all involved to facilitate unrestricted access for humanitarian convoys and healthcare workers and to allow the resumption of agricultural activities in areas under their control.”
“Our presence here today reaffirms our unwavering solidarity with the people of Sudan. It is incumbent upon all of us - member states and people of goodwill alike - to support ongoing efforts towards a peaceful resolution while addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of those affected by this conflict,” said President Ruto.
Only through collective commitment and decisive action, he said, can “we help restore stability and hope for a peaceful future in Sudan.”
Estimates show that the number of internally displaced persons in Sudan rose by 27 percent in 2024, from 9 million to 11.5 million, with children making up over 53 percent of the displaced.