Sudan Slams Ruto for Hosting RSF in Nairobi; Calls It an “Act of Hostility” and Vows “Necessary Action”

Regional Tensions Soar as Khartoum Labels Nairobi’s Moves a “Hostile Act”

The Republic of Sudan has accused President William Ruto of breaking his promises at the highest level, saying Kenya violated the principles of good neighborliness by allowing parallel government talks by RSF to go ahead in Nairobi despite assurances not to allow hostile activities against Sudan to be carried out on its soil.

In a scathing attack through its Foreign Ministry, Sudan has accused Kenya of “hostility against the Sudanese people” for facilitating a political agreement involving the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group Khartoum labels a genocidal “terrorist militia.”

The escalating diplomatic crisis threatens to destabilize regional peace efforts amid Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which has already claimed over 14,000 lives and displaced 8 million people since erupting in April 2023.

In a sharply worded statement issued Tuesday, Sudan’s government denounced President Ruto’s administration for hosting RSF leaders in Nairobi to sign a controversial political pact, calling the move a violation of international law and “an open declaration of hostility.”

A packed hall at Nairobi’s KICC as Sudan’s RSF and its allies move to establish a parallel government on Tuesday, the event was called off at the last minute and postponed until Friday.

The RSF, originally formed from the Janjaweed militias implicated in Darfur’s early-2000s atrocities, has been locked in a brutal conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for nearly two years.

The UN estimates that 25 million Sudanese now require humanitarian aid, with reports of ethnic massacres, systematic rape, and attacks on displacement camps proliferating in recent months.

Sudan’s Allegations: Genocide and Sovereignty Violations

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry accused Kenya of breaching the UN Charter, the African Union’s Constitutive Act, and the Genocide Convention by allowing the RSF to “establish a parallel government on Sudanese soil.”

The statement emphasized that Nairobi’s actions “promote the dismembering of African states” and amount to “complicity” in crimes against humanity.

“Hosting leaders of this terrorist militia while they commit genocide and ethnic cleansing is a betrayal of African solidarity,” the ministry declared, referencing RSF-led attacks in Darfur and El Gezira that Human Rights Watch recently likened to “state-sponsored ethnic targeting.”

Sudan further dismissed the Nairobi-brokered agreement as a “propaganda stunt,” insisting the SAF—backed by “the will of the Sudanese people”—would soon reclaim all territory.

Kenya’s Response and Regional Implications

Government officials have yet to issue a formal rebuttal, but a senior diplomat, speaking anonymously to Reuters, defended Nairobi’s role: “Kenya remains committed to an inclusive peace process. Marginalizing armed actors prolongs wars.”

The RSF, meanwhile, has framed the Nairobi agreement as a step toward “inclusive governance,” though details remain undisclosed.

Analysts warn the rift could fracture regional diplomacy. “This isn’t just about Sudan and Kenya—it’s a proxy battle over who dictates Horn of Africa peacemaking,” said Dr. Amira Abdelhalim of the International Crisis Group. “Sudan’s allies like Egypt and Ethiopia may harden stances, while Kenya’s Western partners face pressure to pick sides.”

International Community Under Scrutiny

The African Union (AU), which suspended Sudan’s membership post-2023 coup, has called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities” but avoided direct criticism of Kenya. The UN Security Council remains divided, with Russia and China historically blocking stringent measures against the RSF.

Meanwhile, the US and EU have imposed sanctions on RSF commanders for atrocities but continue engaging with regional mediators.

Humanitarian Catastrophe Deepens

As diplomacy falters, civilians bear the brunt. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that 12 million Sudanese are internally displaced, with 70% of hospitals non-functional.

In Darfur, survivors recount RSF-led raids targeting Massalit communities, mirroring tactics from the 2003 genocide. “They shoot men, enslave women, and burn villages,” a refugee in Chad told AFP this week.

What’s Next?

Sudan vows to “take all necessary measures” against Kenya, though specifics are unclear. With SAF advancements reported in Khartoum and Darfur, military gains may embolden Khartoum’s defiance. However, experts caution that without a negotiated solution, the crisis risks spilling into neighboring states already strained by refugee inflows.

Meanwhile, the RSF and a number of civilian groups plan to sign an agreement to form a parallel government this Friday.