Kenya Insights

Tag: Sudan conflict

  • Sudan Again Accuses Kenya Of Aiding RSF Militia

    Sudan Again Accuses Kenya Of Aiding RSF Militia

    NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 24 – The Sudanese government has called on Kenya to immediately cease any form of assistance to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group it has labeled a “terrorist militia” that has been sanctioned by the US over human rights violations.

    In a statement released on Monday, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs alleged that the Kenyan government has been actively aiding the RSF, which is currently locked in a brutal conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

    Sudan further urged Kenya to recommit to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations.

    “Sudan once again calls on Kenya to honour its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, the Constitutive Act of the AU, and other regional organizations, and to cease all forms of support to the terrorist RSF militia and recommit itself to the principle of non-interference in other states’ internal affairs,” Khartoum said in a statement.

    The statement followed remarks made by Kenya’s Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura on June 16, in which he acknowledged reports that the United Arab Emirates was backing the RSF in a bid to secure access to Sudan’s natural resources and establish a presence along the Red Sea.

    Khartoum described Mwaura’s comments as a public admission of a wider plot.

    “What is more alarming is Kenya’s own involvement in supporting the terrorist Janjaweed militia,” the statement from Sudan’s Foreign Ministry read.

    “Last month, the Sudanese Armed Forces uncovered weapons and ammunition bearing Kenyan labels in RSF caches in Khartoum.”

    Khartoum also accused Kenya of serving as a conduit for military supplies from the UAE to the RSF.

    It criticized Nairobi for failing to explain these alleged violations of international law and instead attempting to justify foreign support for the militia.

    The Sudanese government warned that such actions undermine regional stability and threaten the territorial integrity of African states.

    Khartoum once again condemned what it described as Kenya’s promotion of a parallel administration announced by the RSF, dubbed the “Government of Peace,” calling it a dangerous move toward the partition of Sudan.

    “The African Union Peace and Security Council has been clear that member states must refrain from supporting any such attempts,” the statement noted.

    In response, Kenya has categorically denied any involvement in the conflict.

    In a separate statement on Jun 16, Government Spokesperson Mwaura dismissed Sudan’s allegations as “false and misleading,” maintaining that Nairobi’s engagement with the warring parties is strictly within the framework of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) peace process.

    “Kenya remains committed to building peace in the region and does not supply arms to any faction in Sudan,” Mwaura said.

    He reiterated that Kenya’s foreign policy is guided by respect for sovereignty and non-interference, as enshrined in the charters of the United Nations and the African Union.

    Mwaura also noted Kenya’s $2 million (approximately Sh258.6 million) pledge in humanitarian aid to Sudan, reaffirming Nairobi’s commitment to alleviating the crisis through peaceful and diplomatic means.

    The conflict in Sudan, now in its second year, has pitted General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces against the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti.

    The power struggle has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 25 million people in urgent need of assistance and millions displaced.

    In January 2025, the United States formally accused the RSF and its allied militias of committing acts of genocide in the Darfur region, intensifying global scrutiny of the group’s conduct.

    While Nairobi hosted RSF representatives in February in a move criticized by Khartoum and parts of the international community, Kenya later clarified that the meeting was part of broader diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

  • Kenya Accuses UAE, Egypt and Iran of Fueling Sudan Conflict

    Kenya Accuses UAE, Egypt and Iran of Fueling Sudan Conflict

    Kenya has directly accused three major regional powers of prolonging Sudan’s devastating civil war through their backing of opposing factions.

    During a press briefing on Monday, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura made the explosive allegation that Egypt and Iran are supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), while the United Arab Emirates is backing the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

    This represents one of the most forthright geopolitical accusations Kenya has made in recent years.

    Mwaura’s statement came in response to a Sunday evening investigative report by NTV titled “Brothers in Arms,” which allegedly traced Kenyan ammunition supplies to Sudan and questioned Kenya’s relationship with RSF commander General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who is perceived as having close ties to President William Ruto.

    The Kenyan government spokesperson also claimed that mercenaries from countries including Russia and Colombia were undermining peace efforts and deepening regional instability.

    This accusation adds another layer to the complex web of international involvement in Sudan’s conflict.

    Faced with questions about its own neutrality, Kenya has sought to position itself as a genuine peacemaker in the region.

    Mwaura reminded journalists of Kenya’s historical role in Sudanese peace processes, dating back to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and extending through post-2019 transition efforts under African Union and IGAD auspices.

    President Ruto has indeed chaired IGAD-led mediation efforts and hosted both warring generals in Nairobi.

    The Kenyan government has also pledged $2 million in humanitarian aid for Sudan.

    However, the reality appears more complex than Kenya’s official narrative suggests.

    The document reveals several uncomfortable truths that undermine Kenya’s claims of effective neutrality:

    • The Sudanese army and several regional players have quietly rejected Ruto’s role in the peace process
    • IGAD subsequently dropped Kenya from its lead mediator position without public announcement
    • The promised $2 million in humanitarian aid remains undisbursed

    These developments suggest that Kenya’s influence as a mediator may be more limited than its government claims, and that its perceived proximity to certain actors in the conflict has compromised its standing as a neutral broker.

    Kenya’s public accusations against Egypt, Iran, and the UAE mark a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions across the region.

    By naming these countries explicitly, Kenya has abandoned the typical diplomatic discretion that usually characterizes such sensitive geopolitical matters.

    The accusations also highlight the proxy nature of Sudan’s conflict, where regional and international powers are backing different factions, potentially prolonging the suffering of the Sudanese people.

    This pattern of external interference has become a recurring theme in conflicts across the Horn of Africa and the broader Middle East.

    Sudan’s civil war has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and thousands killed.

    The conflict pits the Sudanese Armed Forces against the Rapid Support Forces in a struggle that has torn the country apart since fighting erupted in April 2023.

    The international community’s response has been fragmented, with different powers backing different sides based on their strategic interests rather than focusing on genuine conflict resolution.

    Kenya’s accusations, while potentially accurate, also serve to deflect attention from questions about its own role and effectiveness in mediating the crisis.

    Kenya’s bold accusations may represent either a genuine attempt to expose foreign interference in Sudan or a defensive move to address criticism of its own involvement.

    Regardless of the motivation, the public nature of these allegations is likely to complicate already tense regional relationships and may further undermine peace efforts.

    The tragedy remains that while regional powers engage in diplomatic finger-pointing and proxy competition, the people of Sudan continue to suffer the consequences of a conflict that shows no signs of abating.

    Whether Kenya’s accusations will lead to meaningful accountability or simply add another layer of complexity to an already intractable situation remains to be seen.

    The international community must now grapple with how to address these allegations while maintaining focus on the urgent humanitarian needs of the Sudanese people and the imperative of finding a sustainable path to peace.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  • The Two Generals Have No Regard for Life and This Sudan War Is Turning To A Carnage, Ruto Warns

    The Two Generals Have No Regard for Life and This Sudan War Is Turning To A Carnage, Ruto Warns

    President William Ruto has called for global efforts to stop the raging war in Sudan and cautioned that it is escalating into human carnage.

    The President said the combatants on both sides are digging in as innocent lives are lost in the conflict and a human catastrophe ensues.

    “The war in Sudan is heading towards carnage and is already in the realm of human catastrophe,” he said on Saturday at State House, Nairobi.

    He made the remarks during a joint press briefing with Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, who is in the country for a three-day State Visit.

    The conflict involves the Sudanese armed forces, led by General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RFS) led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.

    President Ruto censured both generals for doing little to stop the war and end the suffering of their people.

    “The two generals have no regard for human life. All levers need to be pulled, regionally and globally, to stop the carnage and the human suffering in the Sudan,” President Ruto said.

    On her part, President Musar said Slovenia would work with Kenya and other international partners to resolve conflicts in Africa and beyond.

    “We must discuss, be open in dialogue, and strive to find solutions,” she said.

    She said she shares President Ruto’s vision of a multilateral world order at a time when global institutions are being tested by new policies.

    “Slovenia and Kenya have been working together and cooperating at the multilateral forum, especially the United Nations, the only one we have,” she said.

    This was President Musar’s first visit to the continent.

    She is accompanied by Slovenia’s Special Envoy for Africa Ambassador Frank Hoot and other senior officials.

    The two Presidents witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on political consultations.

    The two leaders also agreed to deepen cooperation across sectors, including agriculture, education, digital transformation, health, environment, trade, and climate action.

    President Ruto welcomed the participation of a Slovenia business delegation and the hosting of the Kenya-Slovenia Business Forum.

    “These engagements will strengthen business linkages and unlock new trade and investment opportunities in pharmaceuticals, ICT, clean energy, and agro-processing,” he said.

    In addition, the two countries have agreed to work together to maximise the benefits of the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into force in July 2024.

    He welcomed President Musar to Sunday’s Madaraka Day ceremony, which will be held in Homa Bay County.

    Present were Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, and other senior government leaders.

  • RSF Drone Attacks Hit Sudan Army as Cholera Deaths Climb

    RSF Drone Attacks Hit Sudan Army as Cholera Deaths Climb

    In war-weary Sudan, death rains from the skies while disease festers on the ground. On Tuesday, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) bombarded southern Sudan with drone strikes.

    Their targets included a military fuel depot and army base in Kosti, a vital city 320 kilometers south of the capital. The explosions ignited a massive fire, filling the sky with black smoke.

    At the same time, Khartoum reels from a deadly cholera outbreak. With over 2,700 infections and 172 deaths in just seven days, civilians are trapped between RSF warfare and public health collapse.

    RSF Drone Attacks Hit Sudan Army as Cholera Deaths Climb
    The human cost of RSF’s campaign is devastating. Khartoum, once Sudan’s lifeline, is now a disease hotspot. Cholera is not new to Sudan, but this latest outbreak is fast and deadly. [Photo: Courtesy]

    RSF intensifies drone warfare as army regains ground

    The RSF, once allies with the army, has turned into its fiercest enemy. Since April 2023, Sudan has been locked in a brutal internal war between the RSF and the national army. After months of bloody battles, the army pushed RSF fighters out of their last strongholds in the greater Khartoum area earlier this month. But the RSF struck back with drones, targeting infrastructure across the country.

    Their latest offensive hit Kosti on Tuesday. The drone attack destroyed a fuel depot and struck a military base, setting off massive fires. Eyewitnesses reported loud explosions and rising smoke columns. A military source confirmed the attack, blaming the RSF for escalating hostilities far from the frontlines.

    This strike is part of a wider RSF campaign. In recent weeks, they have hit power stations in Khartoum, plunging the city into darkness. These attacks have crippled basic services, especially water and health systems, creating perfect conditions for a cholera outbreak.

    The RSF appears to be using infrastructure attacks as a tool of war. By knocking out electricity and water, they deepen the humanitarian crisis and stretch army resources. Experts warn that these tactics may continue as the RSF loses territory but clings to drone capability.

    Cholera crisis worsens as war chokes water supply

    The human cost of RSF’s campaign is devastating. Khartoum, once Sudan’s lifeline, is now a disease hotspot. Cholera is not new to Sudan, but this latest outbreak is fast and deadly. The health ministry reported over 2,700 cases and 172 deaths in just one week, most in Khartoum State.

    In the previous three weeks, more than 2,300 cases and 51 deaths had been reported. Now, deaths are rising daily. The reasons are clear. Power outages have shut down water pumping stations. Without electricity, treatment plants cannot clean Nile water.

    Thousands of residents are drinking untreated water directly from the river, often sold in barrels by donkey cart vendors. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reports a complete collapse of safe water access.

    Hospitals are overwhelmed. In Al-Nao Hospital in Omdurman, the city’s main functioning medical center, patients lie on the floors. Staff are short on supplies, space, and energy. “We cannot stop the spread without clean water,” one doctor said. But in war-torn Khartoum, clean water is a luxury.

    The RSF drone strikes have made it worse. Each hit on power infrastructure delays recovery and further disrupts the already broken health system. What started as a military conflict has now evolved into a full-scale humanitarian emergency.

    Civilians face war in the sky and death in the water

    Everyday life has become a survival test. Residents of Omdurman say they have had no power for nearly two weeks. With no way to boil water or store food safely, disease spreads fast. “We fetch water from the Nile,” said resident Bashir Mohamed. “We know it’s unsafe, but we have no choice.”

    For the RSF, this suffering may be collateral—or it may be a strategy. Their strikes on water and power systems seem timed to destabilize civilian life and force the army to spread itself thin. Yet it is Sudan’s people who suffer the most. Families dodge drone strikes during the day and bury cholera victims at night.

    International aid is scarce. MSF has called for urgent support but warned that war makes access difficult. The fighting has displaced millions, shuttered clinics, and destroyed sanitation systems.

    Sudan is at a breaking point. The RSF’s drone war has morphed into a weaponized siege on public health. With cholera deaths rising and cities burning, the world must pay attention. The battle for Sudan is no longer just a fight for control—it’s a fight for survival.