Recent images of Kenyan Vice President Kithure Kindiki at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport welcoming Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, the leader of the RSF militia, sparked a diplomatic controversy.
The United Nations implicated RSF in gross human rights violations in Sudan.
Nairobi’’s summit with Hemedti led Sudan to accuse Kenya of an “irresponsible stance” in embracing the Rapid Support Forces, a group seeking to legitimize its atrocities. Sudan recalled its ambassador to Kenya and condemned the action, saying that such behavior places Kenya in the “category of a rogue state that defies international norms.”
This accusation is likely accurate for several reasons.
RSF and Sudanese conflict
The RSF and Sudanese army have been engaged in a brutal civil war since April 2023, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacing more than 12.5 million people. The United States and the U.N. sanctioned both the RSF and the Sudanese military for their roles in these atrocities.
In February 2024, Kenya hosted RSF figures in Nairobi, where they signed a charter to form a parallel government in Sudan. Multiple stakeholders, including the U.S., U.N. and four Arab countries involved in mediating peace — Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait — criticized the move as an attempt to further destabilize Sudan.
Kenya denied accusations of siding with the RSF, saying in a statement that it remained on neutral ground. “With its credentials as an enabler of peace in the region and across the globe, Kenya remains at the forefront of seeking solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan,” the statement said.
International backlash
The U.S. State Department has voiced concerns about the formation of a parallel government by the RSF, emphasizing that it undermines peace and stability in Sudan. Similarly, on Thursday, the U.N. Security Council expressed “grave concern” about Kenya’s involvement, urging member states to avoid actions that exacerbate the conflict. These actions contribute to Kenya’s growing isolation on the international stage.
Regional repercussions
Kenya’s involvement in conflicts extends beyond Sudan. In late 2023, Kenya hosted members of the M23 rebel group in Nairobi despite accusations of atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The M23 has seized key cities in the mineral-rich eastern DRC.
Although Kenya denies any direct involvement, the DRC reacted strongly, recalling its ambassador and expelling Kenyan troops. Additionally, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi boycotted a summit chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto in January 2024.
Human rights violations
Human rights organizations accuse Kenya of violating international human rights norms. Rights watchdogs condemn Kenya for abducting opposition leaders and asylum-seekers and handing them over to authoritarian governments despite the risks of persecution.
Notably, in November 2023, Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was abducted in Nairobi and later faced treason charges in Uganda. Similarly, in October 2023, Kenya repatriated four asylum-seekers to Turkey, where they risked political persecution.
Conclusion
Kenya, once regarded as a leading mediator in regional conflicts, has been increasingly accused of partisan involvement in crises across Africa. The government’s actions, particularly in Sudan and the DRC, suggest that Kenya is no longer perceived as neutral. Its support for the RSF and hosting of the M23 rebels indicate a departure from diplomatic norms.
Furthermore, Kenya’s human rights record, marked by the detention and deportation of asylum-seekers and opposition figures, raises significant concerns about its commitment to international law. These actions collectively position Kenya as isolated from international and regional norms, with some analysts now viewing it as a rogue state.
