UN Envoy Meets RSF Leader in Nairobi to Discuss De-escalation in Sudan

Nairobi April 6, 2026; The United Nations Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, held talks on Monday in Nairobi with Rapid Support Forces commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemetti,” as part of ongoing efforts to explore pathways toward de-escalation in Sudan’s conflict. The meeting in the Kenyan capital forms part of Haavisto’s first regional diplomatic tour aimed at advancing dialogue between Sudan’s warring parties. It follows earlier discussions in Khartoum with the head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. According to the United Nations, the talks focused on practical steps to reduce violence and improve the protection of civilians. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described the engagement as a “constructive opportunity” to exchange views, adding that all parties consulted have expressed willingness to cooperate with the UN process. He stressed that such commitments must quickly translate into tangible progress toward ending civilian suffering. Prior to arriving in Kenya, Haavisto held consultations in Cairo with Egyptian officials, the Arab League, and representatives of the Sudanese diaspora. The mission comes amid a broader expansion of UN humanitarian operations in Sudan, including the return of Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Denise Brown to Khartoum with a core UN team, marking a partial re-establishment of UN presence in the city. The United Nations estimates that more than 1.6 million people have returned to Khartoum in recent months, despite ongoing risks from unexploded ordnance and damaged infrastructure. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation remains critical. A recent drone strike on Al Jabalayn Teaching Hospital in White Nile State killed 10 health workers and injured 22 others, according to UN reporting. The UN’s 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Sudan seeks $2.9 billion to assist 20 million people but remains severely underfunded, with only 16% of required funding received to date.