Diplomatic tensions have escalated between Sudan and Kenya following the reception of RSF leader Hemedti by Kenyan Vice President Kindiki. Sudan condemned Kenya’s actions, claiming they undermine international norms and categorizing Kenya as a rogue state. The RSF has been implicated in severe human rights violations, and Kenya’s recent support for the RSF and hosting of rebel groups has led to criticisms from international observers, raising serious concerns about its growing isolation.
Recent events have sparked diplomatic tension between Sudan and Kenya, particularly following images of Kenyan Vice President Kithure Kindiki welcoming Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Sudan has accused Kenya of taking an “irresponsible stance” by embracing the RSF, which the United Nations has linked to egregious human rights violations in Sudan. As a result, Sudan recalled its ambassador to Kenya and condemned the unfolding situation, declaring that this behavior categorizes Kenya as a “rogue state” that defies international norms.
Since April 2023, the RSF and the Sudanese army have been engaged in a brutal civil war, resulting in over 12.5 million people displaced and thousands of deaths. Both entities have faced international sanctions from the United States and the United Nations for their involvement in these atrocities. In early 2024, Kenya hosted RSF representatives who signed a charter to establish a parallel government in Sudan, inciting condemnation from various stakeholders, including the U.S., U.N., and several Arab nations, who criticized this move for potentially further destabilizing Sudan.
In response to accusations of supporting the RSF, Kenya issued a statement asserting its neutrality and emphasizing its role as a peace enabler in the region. The U.S. State Department has raised alarms regarding the RSF’s formation of a parallel government, asserting that it undermines peace and stability in Sudan, echoing concerns voiced by the U.N. Security Council regarding Kenya’s role in escalating the conflict.
Beyond its actions in Sudan, Kenya’s involvement in regional conflicts raises further concerns. In late 2023, Kenya hosted members of the M23 rebel group linked to atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), provoking a strong response from the DRC, which recalled its ambassador and expelled Kenyan troops. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi’s boycott of a summit chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto in January 2024 highlights the growing regional tensions.
Human rights organizations have expressed distress over Kenya’s purported violation of international human rights norms. Reports indicate that Kenya has been involved in the abduction of opposition leaders and asylum-seekers, returning them to oppressive governments amid fears of persecution. Noteworthy incidents include the abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Nairobi and the repatriation of four asylum-seekers to Turkey, both illustrating serious concerns regarding Kenya’s adherence to international law.
Kenya, once considered a significant mediator in regional disputes, faces increasing criticism for partiality and involvement in international crises, particularly regarding its ties to the RSF and the M23 rebels. Its actions reflect a departure from established diplomatic norms and raise serious concerns about human rights violations. Consequently, Kenya’s international standing may deteriorate, heightening perceptions of it as a rogue state against the backdrop of growing regional and global isolation.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
