Kenya Rejects Sudan’s Accusations of Supporting RSF in Ongoing Conflict

Kenya has firmly denied allegations from Sudan’s military administration that it is supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s civil conflict, calling the accusations “baseless tirades” in an official statement released yesterday.

The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to a diplomatic circular reportedly distributed by Sudan’s Sovereign Armed Forces (SAF) administration to diplomatic missions worldwide, which attempted to shift blame to Kenya for the two-year conflict that has devastated Sudan.

“While it is not in Kenya’s interest to engage in needless exchanges, especially on a matter so grievous and intractable, it is nonetheless incumbent to put the record straight and to urge people and nations of goodwill to disregard those tirades as baseless,” the ministry stated in its April 29 press release.

Tensions between the two East African nations escalated following Kenya’s hosting of a meeting of Sudanese nationals in Nairobi, which the SAF administration has characterized as an attempt to establish an exile government.

Kenya’s statement directly addresses this misconception, clarifying that “the convening of this dialogue forum in our capital, Nairobi, neither equates to endorsing any forum’s outcome nor constitutes the formation of an exile government as has been alleged.”

The diplomatic rift has already had economic consequences, with Sudan banning all imports from Kenya in March, following what it perceived as Nairobi’s engagement with RSF leadership.

Kenya defended its position as a regional peacemaker, noting its extensive efforts within the IGAD framework to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The statement emphasized that Kenya has met with leaders from both warring factions “both simultaneously and at separate intervals” in accordance with its “unrivalled credentials for peaceful conflict mediation.”

The Kenyan government expressed deep concern over the humanitarian toll of the conflict, which has left “thousands dead, millions displaced, and countless others without access to lifesaving humanitarian aid.”

It called on international stakeholders to pressure both sides toward finding “a pathway to peaceful resolution and end the bloodletting.”

The statement concluded with Kenya’s pledge to remain actively engaged in regional peace efforts, asserting that “Kenya will not remain passive” as the conflict continues to affect the broader region.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​