Sudan has recalled its ambassador to Kenya in protest over Nairobi’s decision to host meetings involving the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accusing the Kenyan government of facilitating efforts to establish a parallel administration in areas controlled by the paramilitary group.
Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the withdrawal of Ambassador Kamal Jubara on Thursday, condemning Kenya’s hosting of a political event where the RSF and its allies signed what they called the Sudan Founding Charter. The gathering, held Tuesday at Nairobi’s Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), sought to form a unity government independent of Sudan’s internationally recognized administration in Khartoum.
The Sudanese government described the move as “a blatant violation of Sudan’s sovereignty and a breach of international law,” further accusing Kenyan President William Ruto of aligning with what it labeled a “terrorist militia.” In a strongly worded statement, Sudan’s foreign ministry claimed Nairobi had become a hub for the RSF’s “political, propaganda, financial, and logistical activities.”
“This hostile and irresponsible act cannot be justified by citing Kenya’s previous role in the Machakos peace negotiations,” the ministry said, referring to the 2002 accord that helped end Sudan’s decades-long civil war. Sudan insisted that the current talks differ fundamentally from past peace initiatives, which were conducted with Khartoum’s consent under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and with international oversight. The RSF, by contrast, remains engaged in active combat with government forces and stands accused of war crimes, including genocide and ethnic cleansing.
Kenya, defending its diplomatic outreach, rejected Sudan’s accusations. In a statement Wednesday, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the country’s longstanding commitment to peace efforts across the region. “Kenya provides a neutral platform to encourage dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts,” the statement read. “Our engagement is guided by the principle that military solutions cannot resolve political disputes.”
President Ruto’s administration has faced mounting criticism from Sudanese officials, who accused him of prioritizing personal and commercial interests over historic bilateral ties. Khartoum has pointed to Ruto’s previous meetings with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, alleging that such interactions undermine Sudan’s legitimate government and embolden the paramilitary group.
Despite the diplomatic rift, Kenya has shown no indication of halting the RSF-led meetings. Kenyan officials argue that isolating armed groups like the RSF would only prolong Sudan’s turmoil, which has plunged the country into one of its worst crises in decades.
The RSF, formerly a government-aligned force under Sudan’s ousted autocrat Omar al-Bashir, has been locked in a brutal power struggle with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 2023. The conflict has displaced millions, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
Sudan’s foreign ministry said it would pursue additional diplomatic measures to safeguard national security and called on regional and international partners to reject “any initiatives that threaten Sudan’s unity and sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, residents in Khartoum and other conflict-affected areas expressed growing concern over the escalating tensions. “We are tired of war and political games,” said Amal Ibrahim, a displaced teacher in Port Sudan. “Every day, things get worse for ordinary people.”
International observers warn that if left unchecked, the dispute between Sudan and Kenya could complicate broader regional efforts to end the fighting, as neighboring states and organizations struggle to mediate a lasting solution.
