- Sudan’s government has accused Kenya of supporting a rebel group, RSF, by allowing their meetings in Nairobi.
- RSF, considered a militia by Sudan, declared a new government during a Nairobi meeting.
- The Sudanese government sees this as a threat to its sovereignty and has warned against international recognition.
- Kenya is yet to respond officially, despite pressure growing over its neutral role in regional peace efforts.
A diplomatic tension is brewing after Sudan accused Kenya of helping the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rebel group blamed for violence in Sudan. The Sudanese government said Kenya hosted RSF leaders at a meeting in Nairobi, where they went on to declare a rival administration.
The gathering reportedly happened at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), with top RSF figures present, including deputy commander Abdulrahim Hamdan, who is already facing international sanctions.
During the Nairobi meeting, RSF leaders signed a document that introduced a new vision for Sudan. They promised a secular, democratic, and decentralised government and claimed the right to continue running their armed forces.
This move has sparked outrage in Khartoum. Sudan’s government views the RSF as an illegal militia and warned that any country supporting or recognising their new government would be seen as an enemy of Sudan’s unity.
In an official statement, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Kenya’s move a direct attack on Sudan’s independence. They demanded that international bodies like the United Nations, African Union, and IGAD reject RSF’s actions and support Sudan’s territorial integrity.
“Any dealings with this group will be seen as a serious attack on Sudan’s legitimate government,” read part of Sudan’s statement.
They also accused Kenya of violating basic diplomatic rules by getting involved in matters that don’t concern it.
Kenya, a known peace mediator in the Horn of Africa, has not yet spoken on the accusations. President William Ruto has always pushed for peace talks and even hosted RSF leader Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo early last year as part of conflict resolution efforts.
But with Sudan now openly accusing Kenya of taking sides, Nairobi’s role as a peace broker is being tested. The silence from the Kenyan government may only add more heat to the already tense situation.
