Trump’s top official calls Ruto over rising tension in East African countries
President Donald Trump’s administration is concerned about the latest developments in some East African countries.
To fully understand the unfolding situation, Trump’s top official, Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, phoned President William Ruto late on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
In a statement shared by the US Department of State, Marco Rubio inquired from Kenya’s president about the recent happenings in Somalia and South Sudan.
The situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo also featured in their talks with Marco Rubio, insisting on the need to find a lasting peace solution.
“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,” the statement read in part.
“They also discussed the need to end ongoing conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan,” it added.
Situation in Somalia
Somalia has in recent times faced several terror attacks threatening the stability of the East African nation.
On March 18, 2025, Al Shabaab militants targeted Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a bomb attack on his motorcade as it was traveling through the capital, Mogadishu.
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud escaped unhurt but vowed to dismantle the extremist group, which recently boasted of taking control of key areas in the region.
The European Union condemned the attack and commended Somalia’s president’s resolve to eliminate the terrorist group.
“The EU commends President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has reached the frontlines to support the Somali National Army in its efforts to fight al-Shabaab.
“The EU and Somalia share a close partnership, notably under the EU–Somalia Joint Operational Roadmap. The EU remains a steadfast supporter of Somalia’s state-building process, including in the security sector,” the EU statement read in part.
South Sudan
The United Nations recently warned South Sudan, indicating that it was teetering on the edge of a civil war. The UN called on President Salva Kiir and his rival-turned-vice president, Riek Machar, to engage in dialogue to prevent the country from sliding into civil unrest.
The statement came days after the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) was attacked. UNMISS noted that its team was attempting to extract members of the South Sudanese army from the area when its helicopter came under fire, killing a crew member and seriously injuring two others.
On Tuesday, March 26, 2025, Machar called out Uganda, accusing it of carrying out airstrikes in South Sudan.
The recent developments put Kenya in a fix as Ruto’s administration tries to help DRC and Rwanda strike a deal to help reduce hostilities.
