The Kenyan government has addressed allegations by Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that it is backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing Sudan conflict.
In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary dismissed claims that Kenya was taking sides in the 22-month war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). This response followed a meeting held by RSF representatives in Nairobi on Tuesday, February 18, which drew criticism from Sudan’s government.
“The crisis in Sudan demands both regional and global intervention,” the statement read. “As a nation committed to fostering peace within the region and beyond, Kenya remains dedicated to seeking humanitarian solutions to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.”
The government emphasized its longstanding history of hosting refugees, including those from South Sudan, in line with international obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“Kenya stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan as they navigate their future through inclusive dialogue,” the statement continued. “We remain optimistic that Sudan will find a swift and peaceful resolution to its crisis in a way that safeguards its national security and that of the wider region.”
Additionally, the government clarified that it is not unusual for Sudan to engage neighboring countries in mediation efforts. It explained that the RSF’s engagement in Nairobi aligns with Kenya’s broader role in facilitating peace talks.
Izzadin Al Safi, Special Advisor to the RSF Commander, also addressed the issue, denying claims that RSF leaders were in Kenya to establish a government-in-exile.
“We are not here to form a government or rule from outside Sudan,” Al Safi stated. “When the time comes for a government to be established, it will be done in Sudan by the people of Sudan.”
He echoed Kenya’s position that Nairobi serves as a neutral platform for dialogue, making it an ideal location to discuss the root causes of Sudan’s crisis. The conflict, which began in April 2023 following a power struggle between SAF leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), has since displaced approximately 11 million people.
The RSF meeting, initially set for Tuesday, was postponed but is expected to continue over the next two days, culminating in the signing of the Charter for Government of Peace and Unity.
Sudan’s war has caused significant destruction to infrastructure, with reports indicating that over seventy per cent of medical facilities have been rendered inoperable due to the conflict.
