Sudan Accuses Kenya of Hosting Rebel Group, Escalating Diplomatic Tensions

Pres William Ruto attending the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York, the United States.

Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly criticized President William Ruto’s administration for allegedly hosting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rebel group currently engaged in a fierce battle with the Sudanese army for control of the country.

The controversy erupted after the RSF held a high-profile event in Nairobi on Tuesday, February 18, aimed at forming an alliance with political and armed groups to consolidate its influence in Sudan. Reports suggest that within the next three days, a treaty may be signed, potentially allowing the RSF to establish a separate government and assert control over select regions in Sudan.

However, Sudan’s government has condemned the meeting, arguing that it contradicts Kenya’s stated commitment to ending violence in the war-torn country. In a strongly worded statement, Sudan’s Foreign Minister accused Kenya of undermining international law and fostering instability in the region.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets the Kenyan government’s disregard for its obligations under international law by hosting the event for signing a so-called 'political agreement' between the terrorist Janjaweed militia responsible for ongoing acts of genocide in Sudan,” read part of the statement.

The minister further accused Kenya of fueling divisions among African nations by interfering in the internal affairs of sovereign states. According to the Sudanese official, the primary objective of the Nairobi meeting was to establish a parallel government in Sudan, threatening the existing administration.

Sudan contends that Kenya’s decision to host RSF representatives is a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and widely accepted principles of international law.

“Given that the stated objective of this agreement is to establish a parallel government on part of Sudanese territory, this move promotes the dismemberment of African states, violates their sovereignty, and interferes in their internal affairs,” the Sudanese Foreign Ministry stated.

The statement went further, accusing Kenya of complicity in RSF’s alleged war crimes. “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.”

Meanwhile, the RSF meeting in Nairobi was reportedly postponed but is expected to resume over the next two days. The signing of the controversial Charter for Government of Peace and Unity deal is still anticipated. Among the attendees was RSF deputy commander Abdulrahim Hamdan, the brother of RSF commander General Mohamed Hamdan, both of whom are under international scrutiny.

The development has sparked a fresh diplomatic row, with political stakeholders questioning Kenya’s role in the Sudanese conflict. Critics argue that President Ruto’s administration has mishandled the delicate situation, potentially straining Kenya’s diplomatic ties with Sudan and other regional allies.