Kenya faces diplomatic heat as Sudan’s paramilitary RSF plans to form parallel gov’t in Nairobi

Kenya is under increasing diplomatic scrutiny as Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) prepares to announce a parallel government on Kenyan soil, a move that the military-backed government in Khartoum condemned as “act of hostility” against the country’s sovereignty.

The move places Kenyan president William Ruto’s administration in a challenging position amid Sudan’s ongoing civil war between the RSF and the military-led government. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, has been locked in a brutal conflict with Sudan’s military since April 2023, resulting in thousands of deaths and millions displaced.

The RSF’s plans to declare a political entity in exile on Kenyan territory have raised significant concerns, particularly regarding Kenya’s role as a mediator in Sudanese peace talks in the framework of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). While Kenya has positioned itself as a neutral facilitator, hosting the RSF’s high-profile announcement risks alienating other regional powers, including Sudan’s military-backed government, which accused Kenya of violating international law by hosting the group.

Sudan’s military-led government, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, condemned Kenya’s actions, calling them an endorsement of the RSF’s violent campaign and an interference in Sudan’s internal affairs. It also called on the international community to condemn Kenya’s alleged support for RSF, warning that Sudan would take “all necessary measures to redress the balance.”

As the war in Sudan continues to escalate, the international community remains divided on how best to handle the conflict, with Kenya’s involvement in this latest development likely to shape its future role in regional peace efforts. The RSF’s move could have far-reaching implications for Kenya’s standing within both the African Union and IGAD.