The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio on Tuesday telephoned the Kenyan President, William Ruto to discuss the security situations in DRC, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia.
According to statements released by both President Ruto in Nairobi and the State Department in Washington, the duo electronically engaged in security in the region.
“I briefed him (Rubio) on the Joint Summit of Heads of State of the EAC-SADC on the DRC peace initiative,” said Ruto.
Adding: “I also briefed him on the Kenya’s role in providing forum for the engagement of diverse Sudanese actors to engage in an effort to restore civilian governance, and also our efforts with other partners including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in engaging the combatants on the need for dialogue and silencing the guns.”
On South Sudan, the duo discussed the need for the government of President Salva Kiir and the armed opposition under the First Vice President, Riek Machar to re-engage, de-escalate.
“In South Sudan, I updated the Secretary of State of the current situation and the initiatives we are engaged in to encourage the government and opposition to re-engage, de-escalate violence and rededicate themselves to the search for peace,” said Ruto.
The top U.S. diplomat applauded the role Kenya is playing in the region.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to thank him for Kenya’s leadership on regional peace and security and discuss recent developments in Somalia and South Sudan. They also discussed the need to end ongoing conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan,” said a statement from the State Department.
