enya has once again found itself at the center of a regional diplomatic storm after hosting Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nairobi. The RSF, led by Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and sanctioned by the United States, convened a meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to announce plans for a parallel government, dubbed the “Government of Peace and Unity.”
The move is likely to strain relations between Kenya and the Sudanese military regime in Port Sudan, which views RSF as a rebel group seeking to overthrow the internationally recognized government led by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The RSF has been accused of war crimes, including genocide, in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, making Kenya’s decision to host them highly controversial.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has denied that Kenya is taking sides in Sudan’s civil war, stating that the country remains committed to a negotiated resolution. However, international legal experts argue that by allowing the RSF to operate within its borders, Kenya risks violating the principles of non-interference outlined in the African Union and United Nations charters.
The Nairobi meeting, attended by RSF deputy commander Abdulrahim Hamdan Dagalo—who is also sanctioned by the U.S.—signals a direct challenge to Sudan’s official government. It comes at a time when Kenya’s regional diplomacy is under scrutiny following the recent loss of Raila Odinga in the African Union Commission chairmanship race, where Nairobi’s foreign policy missteps were cited as a key reason for his defeat to Djibouti’s candidate.
Kenya’s previous entanglements in regional conflicts, including hosting DRC rebel groups last year, have also fueled skepticism about its neutrality in African crises. The DRC government responded by recalling its envoys from Kenya and barring East African Community election observers.
The Sudan crisis has already drawn in global powers, with Iran recently reaffirming support for Sudan’s sovereignty while the UAE faces accusations of backing the RSF. Kenya’s involvement, whether intentional or not, risks further internationalizing the conflict, potentially inviting diplomatic and economic consequences.
As Sudan’s conflict deepens, Nairobi’s role in facilitating RSF’s activities could have lasting implications on its foreign relations, particularly with the U.S., Sudan’s allies, and other regional powers. With tensions rising, Kenya may soon have to navigate the diplomatic fallout of its latest engagement in Sudan’s affairs.
