Kenya Stirs The Hornet’s Nest With Meeting Of Sudanese Rebels 

Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that it remains committed to supporting peace initiatives in Sudan, despite recent tensions in Khartoum, Sudan. This statement came a day after Sudan’s government accused Kenya of undermining its sovereignty by hosting a meeting with representatives of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nairobi.

In a statement, Sudan condemned Kenya’s decision to host Tuesday’s meeting, calling it “tantamount to an act of hostility,” especially given its timing ahead of the RSF’s planned announcement of a parallel government.

RSF Deputy Commander, Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo led the Sudanese delegation at the government-owned Kenyatta International Conference Center in Nairobi, where he indicated that a major announcement would be made on Friday. His presence at the meeting, along with other RSF representatives, has further fueled tensions between Sudan’s military-led government and Kenya.

In response to Sudan’s accusations of interference, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended its role, emphasizing that the country has long been a safe haven for Sudanese refugees and a neutral facilitator in regional peace efforts. The ministry reiterated that Kenya’s engagement in such discussions is guided by a commitment to fostering stability and reconciliation, asserting that it operates “without any ulterior motives.”

Kenya has historically played a key role in mediating conflicts across East Africa, including the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that led to South Sudan’s independence. Its government maintains that hosting dialogues among Sudanese factions is part of its broader efforts to encourage peaceful resolutions and prevent further escalation of the crisis.

However, Macharia Munene, a professor of international relations at the United States International University-Africa, warned that Kenya risks diplomatic isolation due to what he described as a “foreign policy blunder.” He argued that Kenya’s foreign policy has increasingly become a “one-man show,” with President William Ruto leveraging his personal ties with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, rather than prioritizing Kenya’s broader national interests.

Although Hemedti was not present at Tuesday’s meeting, he maintains a close relationship with President Ruto, and his brother, RSF Deputy Commander Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, has met with the Kenyan leader multiple times. This relationship has fueled concerns that Kenya’s involvement in Sudan’s crisis may be perceived as biased rather than neutral mediation.

The conflict between the Sudanese military and the RSF has had devastating consequences, with more than 24,000 people killed and over 14 million—approximately 30% of Sudan’s population—displaced, according to the United Nations. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese refugees have fled to neighboring countries, further straining regional stability.

Sudanese authorities on Tuesday, claimed that recent RSF attacks had resulted in the deaths of over 400 civilians, including infants. The government alleged that these assaults were carried out after the paramilitary group suffered significant battlefield losses to the Sudanese army.