Sudan slams Kenya for hosting RSF militants, says no justification for Ruto's action

Tensions between Kenya's President William Ruto and the General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan-led government of Sudan show no signs of easing.

Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday rejected the defence mounted by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi for hosting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nairobi as they seek to establish a parallel government.

The Sudanese government in a response maintained that there is no justification for Kenya’s actions and President William Ruto’s embracing of the RSF.

“This hostile and irresponsible move cannot be justified by referring to the previous hosting of the Machakos negotiations, as these were between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in South Sudan under the auspices of IGAD and notable international sponsorship," stated Sudan.

"The Government of Sudan has sought, through diplomatic communication, to change this stance without success. It is unfortunate that the Kenyan president has placed his personal and commercial interests... above the historical relations between the two brotherly countries..."

Sudan added, "Hosting leaders of the terrorist RSF militia and allowing them to conduct political and propaganda activities—while they continue to perpetrate genocide, massacre civilians on an ethnic basis, attack IDP camps, and commit acts of rape—constitutes an endorsement of and complicity in these heinous crimes."

CS Mudavadi defended Kenya's actions on Wednesday, stating that they were in line with its broader role in peace negotiations and its commitment to supporting Sudan in finding a resolution to its ongoing political crisis.

He pointed out that Kenya has a history of facilitating peace agreements in the region, including the Machakos Protocol of 2002, which helped end the Sudan II civil war.

“We note that this is not the first time groups in Sudan have sought solutions to their crisis by leveraging the good offices of neighbouring countries. Indeed, in January 2024, parties and stakeholders to the Sudanese conflict met in a neighbouring country to chart a way forward on inclusive dialogue and return to civilian rule,” said Mudavadi.

“Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese civilian groups' tabling of a roadmap and proposed leadership in Nairobi is compatible with Kenya's role in peace negotiation which enjoins her to provide non-partisan platforms to conflict parties to seek resolutions.“

The CS also stressed the need for a delicate balance between security objectives and a return to civilian rule in Sudan to achieve democracy and prosperity for the people of Sudan.

The response by the CS came after Sudan's government condemned Kenya for hosting the RSF, terming it a blatant disregard for its obligation under international law. 

The RSF held an event in Nairobi on Tuesday with the talks revolving around the formation of a parallel government in RSF-controlled areas.