Sudanese General Warns Kenya Not to Try to Send Peacekeepers: No One Will Come Back

Illustration of conditions in Sudan. (Wikimedia Commons/Osama Eid)

JAKARTA - A Sudanese general has rejected in a threatening tone a proposal initiated by Kenya, regarding sending East African peacekeepers to help end the country's war that has lasted more than 100 days.

The warring Sudanese military and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have accepted various offers of international mediation, but none have succeeded in ending or even stopping the fighting that erupted on April 15.

Earlier this month, IGAD, an East African regional bloc of which Kenya is a member, proposed an initiative that would include stationing peacekeepers in the capital Khartoum.

The Sudanese army has repeatedly rejected the Kenyan-led initiative, accusing the regional power of supporting the RSF.

Furthermore, they said they would regard foreign peacekeepers as enemy troops.

"Leave East African troops where they are. Bring Kenyan soldiers... I swear, none of them will return," said Sudanese General Yassir al-Atta in comments, reported by Reuters, July 25.

He also accused Kenya of being bought out by a third country, which he did not name.

"This statement is not worthy of our comment," said Kenyan Foreign Minister Korir Sing'Oei.

He emphasized that the accusations were baseless, underlining his country's neutral attitude.

"By insisting that lasting peace will only come through involving civilian actors in any mediation process and holding accountable for atrocities, some people in Sudan may find these principles difficult to accept," he added.

It is known that fighting in Khartoum State continued on Monday. An environmental committee in Ombada said at least 15 people had been killed in the attack in Omdurman.

Meanwhile in the Kalakla area south of Khartoum, local committees said RSF troops had surrounded the area.