Kenya’s hosting of the RSF undermines peace efforts in Sudan and violates international obligations. The RSF’s actions are condemned by the African Union, and the U.S. has imposed sanctions on its leaders for war crimes. Urgent actions are needed from Kenya to retract support for the RSF and uphold peace initiatives.
Kenya’s recent decision to host the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their associated militias has raised serious concerns regarding its complicity in the ongoing atrocities in Sudan. The gathering that took place in Nairobi on February 18, 2025, aimed at establishing a parallel government, directly undermines Kenya’s professed commitment to justice and peace in Sudan and the surrounding region.
This meeting of the RSF occurred shortly after the African Union Peace and Security Council’s condemnation of any external interference that heightens the Sudanese conflict. The call for an inclusive political dialogue was thereby disregarded, further undermining Pan-Africanism and the collective efforts led by the African Union to resolve the crisis in Sudan.
The RSF and its affiliated militias have been implicated in egregious war crimes according to reports from the UN’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan. These violations include sexual violence, forced displacement, and the recruitment of child soldiers, mainly affecting the non-Arab populations in Sudan, particularly the Masalit community.
In response to these activities, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, for actions obstructing Sudan’s democratic transition. His brother, Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo, also faces sanctions for leading forces responsible for ethnic killings and other atrocities.
Kenya’s actions to host the RSF not only violate international obligations set by the UN Charter and the African Union’s principles but also attack Sudan’s sovereignty. At the time of the RSF’s Nairobi meeting, the militia was reportedly involved in genocidal acts, highlighting the grave humanitarian crisis Sudan faces.
On February 19, 2024, the Kenyan government openly acknowledged its support for the RSF, complicating its relationship with Sudan. These developments hinder international efforts focused on promoting accountability and justice in Sudan, while simultaneously putting Sudanese refugees in Kenya at greater risk.
The African Union Peace and Security Council is urged to respond promptly by condemning unilateral declarations that disrupt peace initiatives and insisting on an inclusive political approach. Additionally, the Council must reaffirm Sudan’s territorial integrity and promote collaboration among all Sudanese factions and AU member states.
To mitigate the situation, it is critical for the Kenyan government to declare the RSF members in Kenya as persona non grata, retract supportive statements, and apologize to the Sudanese populace. Furthermore, Kenya must adhere to its international obligations and refrain from further engagement in the Sudanese peace talks, where it lacks neutrality.
In summary, Kenya’s hosting of the RSF contradicts its obligations to promote peace and violates international law. The actions of the Kenyan government not only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Sudan but also threaten its diplomatic relations. Immediate steps are necessary to prevent further deterioration of the situation and to uphold the principles of justice and accountability. The international community must act swiftly to restore peace and protect the Sudanese people.
Original Source: khrc.or.ke
