Sudan accuses Ruto of reneging on pledge as Kenya plays host to RSF’s Hemedti
Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Youssif warns of unspecified consequences following latest action by Nairobi to host RSF and allied groups
Sudan’s government has accused President William Ruto of reneging on his promise not to interfere with its internal affairs after Kenya allowed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied groups to strategise on forming a parallel government in Nairobi.
In a statement to the press, Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Youssif slammed Kenya for violating diplomatic laws as he cited a meeting held last month where Ruto had personally assured Sudan’s top diplomat Ali al-Sadiq Youssif that Nairobi would not be used as a launch pad for efforts to install a rival administration.
“The Republic of Sudan expresses its deep regret and dismay at the government of Kenya’s violation of its commitments at the highest levels not to allow its territory to be a platform for activities hostile to Sudan,” the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said in the statement hours after the RSF kicked off a meeting at KICC, Nairobi.
Sudan accused Kenya of undermining Sudan’s sovereignty as they termed the RSF meeting in Nairobi a violation of International Law, the African Union Act, and the United Nations Charter.
“The President William Ruto administration has deliberately disregarded its obligations and chosen to host and support these illegitimate gatherings, which seek to destabilize Sudan and its institutions,” the statement added.
Further, they warned that Kenya’s actions would have consequences.
“This is a serious breach of trust, and Sudan will not stand idly by as its sovereignty is undermined under the pretext of regional mediation,” they said.
Despite being sanctioned by the US government over atrocities in Sudan, including war crimes and crimes against humanity; RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ‘Hemedti’ rolled out an event for his faction in Nairobi with controversial talks to proceed.
Kenya’s ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State House are yet to send a reply over Sudan’s accusations.
It is thus not clear why the President went back on his assurances to Khartoum, or whether there was official approval for the RSF-led political maneuvering in Nairobi.
Hemedti arrived in Nairobi on Sunday in readiness for the formation of a parrallel government, framed as the “Political Charter for Government of Peace and Unity”, which was initially scheduled for Monday but which has since been pushed for Friday.
It is not the first time Kenya is finding itself in Khartoum’s crosshairs over its ties with RSF. In January last year, Kenya rolled out a red carpet reception for Hemedti at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport presidential pavilion where he was entertained by traditional dancers before meeting President Ruto at State House, Nairobi.
The reception was in sharp contrast to that accorded to Sudan Armed Forces chief General Abdel Fatah al-Burhan earlier, a move that saw the country recall its ambassador to Nairobi “in protest of the official reception organised for the leader of the rebel militia.”
Al-Burhan also rejected Ruto’s offer to mediate in the conflict between the Sudanese military and RSF, which has killed more than 150,000 people and forced over 11 million others from their homes.
The diplomatic credibility of the country remains shaken now as Sudan has publicly exposed Ruto’s broken promise with pressure mounting for Nairobi to explain its stance — or face the consequences.
Hemedti’s visit to Nairobi came as Iran officially announced its support for the Sudanese government in the ongoing conflict against RSF, marking a renewed alliance after a period of strained relations.
During a meeting between Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssif and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Monday, Tehran also emphasised the importance of Sudan’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity and calls for an end to foreign interference in the country’s affairs.
Hemedti, his younger brother and deputy Abdul Rahim Hamdan Daglo as well as companies associated with RSF were last month placed under United States sanctions for committing acts of genocide during the conflict that has lasted more than 20 months.
According to the Washington Post, Hemedti presides over a sprawling family empire estimated to be worth billions of dollars and encompassing gold, weapons, property and holding companies — much of it based in the United Arab Emirates, which has been supporting the RSF. Before the conflict erupted, Hemedti himself was wealthy enough to personally pledge over US$1 billion to help stabilize the Sudanese Central Bank in the aftermath of Sudan’s economic crisis.
Since then, his forces have carried out an orgy of looting throughout the country that has taken crops, gold, vehicles and so much cash from the banking system that citizens are chronically short of paper money. The United Nations’ World Food Programme alone has had more than US$60 million worth of food looted; 85 other aid organisations have also been attacked and looted at a time when children are starving to death.
