The already severed diplomatic relations between Kenya and Sudan dipped further, with Nairobi accusing the junta government of scapegoating for its internal woes.
In a strongly worded statement by the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign Affairs, Kenya told off the Sudan Armed Forces, who had accused Nairobi of backing the rebel Rapid Support Forces. SAF also accused Kenya of being the main conduit of the Emirati military supplies to RSF.
“Kenya considers the continued and unsubstantiated allegations by the SAF [Sudan Armed Forces] administration to be not only regrettable but also inconsistent with the principles of good neighbourliness and mutual respect that underpin the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
“Such reckless actions risk undermining regional peace and stability, and are unbecoming of the fraternal Pan-African relations traditionally shared among states in the region,” the statement, signed off by Strategic Communication Secretary Peter Warutere, said on Thursday.
Nairobi denied the allegation that it is backing RSF and arming the rebel group, saying it upholds its obligations under international and regional frameworks and does not condone, facilitate, or engage in the illicit trade or smuggling of arms.
“ Unfortunately, no amount of scapegoating or repeated blaming of other states will alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people. It is time for the parties to the conflict in Sudan to assume full responsibility and commit to restoring civilian rule, peace and security for the benefit of the Sudanese people and the wider region,” the statement said.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs ministry added that the “persistent and unfounded false claims” by SAF on Kenya appear to reflect an outdated strategy of deflecting internal challenges by generating external tensions in the hope of rallying domestic support.
“As often observed, the most difficult but necessary journey is the one within. We therefore urge the SAF to focus on internal stability, rather than expending scarce resources and energy on imagined external adversaries,” Nairobi added.
Kenya has also called for inclusive dialogue that includes civilian actors, rather than the armed groups.
It noted that for the Sudanese people deserve peace and security anchored in inclusive national dialogue that truly reflects the diversity of the Sudan republic.
“Such dialogue must extend beyond military actors to include a broad spectrum of Sudanese voices such as civil society, community leaders, youth, women and religious organizations working collaboratively to forge a sustainable path to peace,” it said.
Defending its involvement, MFA said Kenya said its engagement is grounded in a principled approach of humanitarianism, and should not be misconstrued as interference in Sudan’s internal affairs. In this regard, MFA said Kenya is actively engaged in mobilizing international attention and support for the Sudanese people.
Tensions between Sudan and Kenya are escalating due to accusations that Nairobi is supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s civil war. This support is perceived by Sudan as a hostile act, leading to diplomatic disputes and even threats of escalation from Sudan.
Despite Sudan accusing UAE of bankrolling the rebel RSF, Kenya said it will continue partnering with Abu Dhabi as a strategic ally to champion peace efforts and a sustainable, inclusive resolution to the conflict.
“A fundamental tenet of Kenya’s foreign policy is respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. In upholding this principle, Kenya likewise expects other states to refrain from besmirching its respected global image and sovereignty,” it said.
The recent war of words was triggered by Kenya government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, who in a press briefing accused external players of fueling the Sudan conflict. Mwaura said Egypt and Iran were backing the Sudan forces, while UAE was supporting RSF.
Iran Ambassador to Kenya Ali Gholampour on Monday denied that Iran was backing Sudan.
“I reject absolutely that accusation. Iran has relations with many countries, and as a sovereignty state, Iran has the right to have relations with other countries. But these are all accusations and I absolutely reject them,” Amb. Gholampour said.
In its response to Mwaura, Sudan Armed Forces said Mwaura had admitted that UAE is supporting RSF to seize Sudan’s natural resources and to establish a foothold on the Red Sea.
“Kenya has been one of the main conduits of the Emirati military supplies to the terrorist RSF militia. Instead of explaining this grave violation of international law and the principle of good neighbourhood by his government, the Spokesperson sought to justify the UAE’s complicity in the RSF’s war of terror against the Sudanese people by alleging that certain countries are helping SAF. These allegations are unfounded”
“Even worse, the Kenyan Spokesperson sought to promote the attempt by the RSF militia to partition Sudan through announcing a so-called parallel government, that he named the “Government of Peace,” Sudan’s Foreign ministry said.
It also called on Kenya to honour its obligations under the UN Charter, the Constitutive Act of the AU, and other regional organizations, and to cease all forms of support to RSF and recommit itself to the principle of non-interference.
