Recent images of the vice-president Kenyan Kithure Kindiki at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi welcoming Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, the leader of the RSF militia, sparked diplomatic controversy.
The United Nations involved the RSF in raw human rights violations in Sudan.
The Nairobi summit with Hemedti led Sudan to accuse Kenya of an “irresponsible position” by adopting the fast support forces, a group seeking to legitimize its atrocities. Sudan recalled its ambassador to Kenya and condemned action, saying that such behavior places Kenya places Kenya in the “category of a rogue state that defies international standards”.
This accusation is probably exact for several reasons.
RSF and Sudanese conflict
The RSF and Sudanese army has participated in a brutal civil war since April 2023, causing thousands of deaths and moving more than 12.5 million people. The United States and the UN sanctioned the RSF and the Sudanese army for its roles in these atrocities.
In February 2024, Kenya hosted RSF figures in Nairobi, where they signed a charter to form a government parallel to Sudan. Several stakeholders, including the United States, the United Nations and four Arab countries involved in peace mediation – Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait – criticized this decision as an attempt to destabilize Sudan.
Kenya denied the accusations of standing in it with the RSF, affirming in a statement that remained on neutral land. “With its references as a catalyst of peace in the region and around the world, Kenya remains at the forefront of the search for solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan,” the statement said.
International reaction
The US State Department has expressed concerns about the formation of a parallel government by the RSF, stressing that it undermines peace and stability in Sudan. Similarly, Thursday, the United Nations Security Council expressed a “serious concern” concerning the participation of Kenya, urging Member States to avoid actions that exacerbate the conflict. These actions contribute to the growing isolation of Kenya on the international scene.
Regional repercussions
The involvement of Kenya in conflicts extends beyond Sudan. At the end of 2023, Kenya welcomed members of the Rebel M23 group in Nairobi despite accusations of atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The M23 seized the key cities of the eastern DRC rich in minerals.
Although Kenya denies any direct involvement, the DRC reacted strongly, recalling its ambassador and expeling Kenyan troops. In addition, the president of the CRM, Felix Tshisekedi, boycotted a summit chaired by President Kenyan William Ruto in January 2024.
Human rights violations
Human rights organizations accuse Kenya of having violated international human rights standards. Dogs on duties condemn Kenya for having removed opposition leaders and asylum seekers and handing them over to authoritarian governments despite the risk of persecution.
In particular, in November 2023, Ugandan opposition chief Kizza Besigye was abducted in Nairobi and was then confronted with accusations of betrayal in Uganda. Likewise, in October 2023, Kenya repatriated four asylum seekers in Türkiye, where they risked political persecution.
Conclusion
Kenya, formerly considered as a leading mediator in regional conflicts, has been increasingly accused of partisan participation in crises across Africa. Government's actions, especially in Sudan and DRC, suggest that Kenya is no longer perceived as neutral. His support for the RSF and the accommodation of the M23 rebels indicate a departure from diplomatic standards.
In addition, Kenya's human rights file, marked by the detention and expulsion of asylum seekers and opposition figures, raises important concerns about its commitment to international law. These actions collectively position Kenya as isolated from international and regional standards, certain analysts now considering it as a rogue state.
