SLM’s El Nur meets with Kenya president and Sudan RSF commander

The leader of the mainstream Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW), Abdelwahid Nur, met with Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday. Nur also met with Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Commander Mohamed ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo on Monday, to discuss humanitarian aid in areas controlled by the rebel movement.

The meeting with the Kenyan president was held to discuss efforts undertaken by the movement to stop the war in Sudan and address the roots of the crisis, SLM-AW spokesperson Mohamed El Nayer told Radio Dabanga yesterday.

He said that the SLM-AW leader “provided a comprehensive explanation to Ruto about our vision to form a large civil front to stop the war through true national partnership, bypassing all former alignments preceding the April 15 war, and creating the largest possible consensus”.

President Ruto provided an explanation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) roadmap to stop the war in Sudan, “which El Nur supports”.

“It is very unfortunate that the Port Sudan government froze Sudan’s IGAD membership”, El Nayer said, calling the decision “improvised” and adding it “did not take Sudan’s highest interest into account”.

“The former regime’s regime practice of boycotting regional and international parties ended in the complete isolation of Sudan, and we are still reeling from the effects to this day.”

In response to the variety of initiatives aiming to put an end to the war, the SLM-AW spokesperson hopes there will be “one initiative that is effective and significant, so that efforts are not wasted across multiple initiatives”. He however reiterated his group’s support of “all regional and international efforts working to put an end to the war”.

El Nayer added that the faction has agreed to meet with Abdallah Hamdok to discuss cooperation with the Civil Democratic Forces alliance (Tagaddum), chaired by the former prime minister, “but a time and place for the meeting has yet to be arranged”.

‘Responsive’

As for the meeting held between Abdelwahid Nur and RSF Commander ‘Hemedti’ on Monday, El Nayer told Radio Dabanga that it was “part of our efforts to open humanitarian corridors in areas controlled by SLM-AW”.

“There is a catastrophic humanitarian situation, and there are tens of thousands of civilians who have been displaced to areas under our control.  Some issues, such as food and medicine provisions, are beyond the capacity of SLM-AW.”

The spokesperson said the meeting with the RSF commander was “transparent and clear, in which all national issues were discussed, including aid and putting an end to fighting”.

“Hemedti was responsive during the meeting, but actions speak louder than words”, he added.