ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Kenya has committed US$2 million (Sh258 million) to support humanitarian efforts in war-torn Sudan, where over 30 million people are in urgent need of assistance.
President William Ruto announced the pledge during a High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment, alongside the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to mediate a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Ruto urged the warring factions—the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—to embrace inclusive dialogue, emphasizing that military confrontation cannot bring sustainable peace.
“Thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and humanitarian aid blocked. This is an unacceptable state of affairs,” Ruto said.
The conference was attended by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, among other regional leaders.
Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, Sudan has faced one of its worst humanitarian disasters in modern history.
Millions have fled their homes, with thousands crossing into South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya, and Uganda, while many remain internally displaced in dire conditions.
The United Nations has warned that the situation is rapidly deteriorating, with famine declared in some regions, leaving millions at risk of starvation.
Climate change has worsened the crisis, with severe droughts and deadly floods compounding the effects of conflict.
Kenya has been actively engaged in efforts to broker peace in Sudan through IGAD, pushing for a negotiated settlement to end hostilities.
However, continued fighting and restricted humanitarian access have made relief efforts challenging.
With millions of Sudanese facing starvation, displacement, and insecurity, the international community is under pressure to ramp up aid efforts and push for a ceasefire.
Kenya’s financial pledge signals a strong commitment to humanitarian relief, but lasting peace remains the ultimate goal.
