The diplomatic relation between Kenya and Sudan over the presence of rebel leaders in Nairobi continues to deteriorate as Khartoum on Thursday recalled its ambassador followed by a scathing attack on President William Ruto’s foreign policy on the region.
The Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Ambassador to Kenya, Kamal Gubara, for consultations, in protest against Kenya hosting meetings of rebel militia, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies in what Khartoum terms as a hostile move against Sudan.
The diplomatic tiff started on Monday 18 when the Kenya government allowed the RSF—which has been sanctioned by the US and the UN for war crimes and genocide—to hold a meeting at the main government building, the Kenyatta International Convention Center on February 18 and announced that they plan to form a parallel government on February 21.
While the RSF leader, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo did not attend, his second in Command, Abdul Rahim Dagalo led the group of over 500 delegates from supportive political parties and civil society that came from Sudan, neighbouring countries Europe and America.
Key leaders from other political parties included Abdelaziz Adam al-Hilu, the chairman of the Sudanese politician and the current chairperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N)—who is controlling parts of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile provinces. Others were Umma Party leader, Fadlallah Burma Nasir and Ibrahim al-Mirghani, a leader in the Democratic Unionist Party.
While recalling the Sudan Ambassador, the Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office of the Spokesperson and Media Directorate, said in a letter that Kenya hosting RSF represents a dangerous precedent previously unseen in both the region and the continent.
This letter followed a statement by the Kenyan Minister for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, who had said that Kenya is known for hosting talks for various conflicts in the region, with the 2005 signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), being a case in point
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reviewed the press statement issued by its Kenyan counterpart, attempting to justify the disgraceful stance of President William Ruto in hosting and promoting the conspiracy to establish a government for the genocidal RSF militia and its affiliates, in violation of Sudan’s sovereignty and national security, and posing a serious threat to regional peace and security, as well as to the relations of good neighbourliness among countries in the region.,” the letter said.
The letter said that 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, with the approval of the Government and under the auspices of IGAD and notable international sponsorship.
Conversely, the current meeting in Nairobi is between the terrorist Janjaweed militia and its affiliates, aimed at establishing a parallel government to the legitimate one in Sudan. This occurs while the terrorist militia continues to commit genocidal acts, ethnic cleansing, and widespread rape. The most recent atrocity was the Qetina massacre, which took place during the Nairobi meetings, claiming the lives of 433 civilians.
This comes as President Ruto has been under scrutiny regionally and internationally over allegations of his sympathies for rebels fighting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government, the M-23.
The Sudan Foreign Ministry maintains that the current meetings in Nairobi are merely the culmination of the ongoing support provided by the Kenyan presidency to the terrorist militia in various fields.
“Nairobi has thus become one of the main centers for the militia’s political, propaganda, financial, and logistical activities. The Kenyan President has also previously accorded a red carpet reception to the RSF militia leader,” the letter said.
Sudan reiterated its demand for the Kenyan presidency to reverse this dangerous course of action, which threatens peace and security in the region and encourages terrorism, genocide, and horrific human rights violations. Sudan has already begun taking measures to safeguard its national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
“Unfortunately, the Kenyan President has placed his personal and commercial interests with the militia’s regional sponsors and the militia’s leadership above the historical relations between the two brotherly countries, the leadership requirements”
“Kenya’s genuine interests, and the imperatives of regional peace and security, thereby disregarding international and regional agreements,” the letter said, about various claims by Khartoum that Gen Dagalo is a close friend and business ally of the Kenyan leader, and has been visiting Kenya frequently.
