Museveni Meets Sudan’s RSF Leader in Bid to End Brutal War
By skika Reporter
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday held a high-stakes diplomatic meeting with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, at State House Entebbe, in a renewed push to explore pathways toward ending Sudan’s devastating civil war.
The conflict, now approaching its third year, erupted between Sudan’s national army, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), and the RSF. It has since spiraled into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, displacing millions internally and across borders, while destabilizing the wider Horn of Africa region.
Large swathes of Khartoum and Darfur have been devastated by fighting, and regional economies have felt the strain as insecurity disrupts Red Sea trade routes and fuels refugee flows into neighbouring countries.
Museveni reiterated his long-held position that sustainable peace in Sudan can only be achieved through inclusive political dialogue rather than military victory.
“When I last came to Sudan, I met President Bashir and advised against the politics of identity instead of the politics of interest,” Museveni said, referring to former Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir.
“Identity politics is poisonous. It does not yield good results. What is important are shared interests that unite people,” he added, urging Sudan’s rival factions to embrace negotiations over continued confrontation.
Uganda has consistently championed “African solutions to African problems,” advocating mediation efforts through continental and regional mechanisms as a way of resolving protracted conflicts on the continent.
Gen. Dagalo thanked Museveni for hosting him, describing the Ugandan leader as “a wise man of Africa” and praising his commitment to regional peace.
“Your victory is not only a gain for Ugandans but for the whole continent. We truly believe in your principles and your commitment to peace,” Dagalo said.
The RSF commander acknowledged Sudan’s deepening humanitarian and institutional crises and stressed the urgency of a peaceful resolution. He also expressed interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation with Uganda in areas such as trade, education, and regional integration.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem underscored the regional implications of the conflict.
“Sudan’s stability is important for the entire region. What happens in Khartoum does not stay in Khartoum,” Oryem said.
Museveni’s engagement with the RSF leader is likely to attract scrutiny, particularly amid allegations of human rights abuses linked to the paramilitary group. However, Ugandan officials framed the meeting as part of broader efforts to encourage dialogue among all parties to the conflict.
“The solution will not come from the battlefield alone,” Museveni emphasized, calling on Sudan’s leaders to “prioritize peace over military confrontation.”
Despite multiple ceasefire attempts, fighting persists, raising fears of further fragmentation in Sudan. Observers say renewed diplomatic engagement by regional leaders such as Museveni could help revive stalled peace initiatives and create momentum toward a negotiated settlement.
