Wednesday February 19, 2025
Sudan’s foreign ministry on Tuesday expressed regret over Kenya’s decision to host an event for a political coalition aligned with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the group battling the Sudanese army for control of the country.
The event, held in Nairobi on Tuesday, was a preliminary step towards forming a new political alliance comprising political forces and armed groups supporting the RSF. A political charter is expected to be signed in three days, followed by constitutional arrangements and the formation of a government in RSF-controlled areas.
The foreign ministry said in a statement that the event contradicted Kenya’s commitments at the highest level not to allow hostile activities against Sudan on its territory and constituted a declaration of hostility against the Sudanese people.
It accused Kenya of encouraging the division of African countries, violating their sovereignty, and interfering in their affairs, contravening the UN Charter, the African Union Constitutive Act, and international norms. The ministry noted that the event’s stated goal is to establish a parallel government in a part of Sudanese territory.
Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssif said on January 26 that Kenya’s position on Sudan had changed. Following a meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi, Youssif said Ruto pledged not to recognize any government the RSF intends to announce in areas under its control.
The foreign ministry expressed its regret that the Kenyan government had reneged on its obligations under international law, the UN Charter, and the Genocide Convention by allowing the gathering, which involved the RSF, which it holds responsible for ongoing genocide.
“Hosting RSF leaders and allowing them to conduct open political and propaganda activities at a time when they are committing genocide and massacres against civilians on ethnic grounds is an encouragement and participation in the continuation of these atrocities,” the ministry said.
It stressed that the event in Nairobi would have no impact on the ground, citing the army’s determination, joint forces from armed movements, and supporting forces to liberate every inch of territory controlled by the RSF.
The ministry called on the international community to condemn the Kenyan government’s actions, adding that it would take steps to rectify the situation.