Kenya has yet again sparked another diplomatic tiff with Sudan after reports emerged that it was planning to host the neighbouring country’s militia, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and its affiliates in Nairobi for a second conference.
Sudan, in a press statement on Sunday through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned Kenya over the plans to host the RSF, claiming that it had watched over a 'campaign of genocide' against specific ethnic groups in Darfur.
Sudan decried the instance of Kenya's decision to host the paramilitary group, despite an earlier backlash it issued to Kenya over the establishment of a 'parallel government' by the group in Nairobi, in an event held at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC).
''While the Janjaweed RSF militia escalates its campaign of genocide against specific ethnic groups in Darfur—exemplified by its ongoing attack on the Zamzam camp for IDPs, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians, including women and children—and while the militia continues to target vital civilian facilities across the country, reports are emerging that Kenya will host a second conference for the RSF terrorist militia and its affiliates in the coming days,'' the statement read in part.
''This follows previous meetings sponsored by the Kenyan presidency in February of this year, which sought to declare a so-called 'parallel government' for the genocidal militia and its followers.''
According to Sudan, the earlier decision, despite receiving condemnation from the United Nations Security Council and the African Union, Kenya appears to have turned a blind eye to all these.
Furthermore, the war-torn nation has accused Kenya of disregarding international legitimacy by allegedly harbouring insurgent militia groups.
''The entire international community has condemned this move. The United Nations Security Council expressed grave concern over it and its potential to fuel the flames of war in Sudan, threatening its national unity and territorial integrity. Similarly, the African Union Peace and Security Council strongly and unequivocally condemned it in a press statement dated March 11, 2025, calling on AU member states and the broader international community to refrain from providing any assistance or support to armed or political groups seeking to establish a parallel government or state in Sudan," Sudan added in a statement.
''The Kenyan government’s insistence on continuing to support the terrorist militia and harbour its activities demonstrates a disregard for international legitimacy and the African Union Peace and Security Council. It also poses a serious threat to regional security, the sovereignty of African nations, and social stability within them.''
Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the international community to condemn what it termed as Kenya’s irresponsible conduct, arguing that it violates international law, the UN Charter, and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
On March 14, the government of Sudan suspended all imports from Kenya following the latter's decision to host the RSF in February.
In a notice issued on Thursday, Sudan announced the immediate restriction of all imports from Kenya, barring entry via ports, railways, and air transport.
Later on Sunday, Kenya announced it had dispatched a high-level diplomatic delegation to London, led by Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, to attend the London-Sudan Conference in a bid to help stabilise the volatile situation in Sudan.
"Following an invitation from the UK government, Dr Mudavadi will present Kenya’s position on regional peace and security in the Greater Horn of Africa, with a focus on war-torn Sudan, where conflict—now entering its third year—has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions, including women and children," a statement from Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs read in part.
