Kenya has been challenged to rise to the occasion and match its words with action in the push for peace in the ongoing Sudan conflict.
Speaking during a discussion on the Sudan crisis, Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director Flavia Mwangovya revealed that while Kenya is doing its fair share of promoting peace in Sudan, it is not doing enough, and it's engaging in a lot of double speak.
"We are not doing everything we could be doing. There is still so much more we can accomplish, and the first step is to lead by example and be a true champion," Mwangovya stated.
Citing Kenya's previous move of hosting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mwangovya said that Kenya should rethink and stop promoting double speak. She revealed that Kenya must remain true to its original peace-building agenda instead of sending mixed signals on its diplomatic stance.
"In the Prime Cabinet Secretary's memo, Kenya's decision to host the RSF was a key focus. However, in defending its stance, Kenya failed to acknowledge the atrocities in Sudan, omitting terms like human rights, civilian protection, and justice," she continued.
Mwangovya alleged that Kenya has not been showcasing the importance of human rights and the effects of the war on the people of Sudan.
The Deputy Regional Director revealed that Kenya has a role to remind Sudan that while their factions work to resolve their differences, they must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Kenya has been challenged to remind Sudan of their duty to protect civilians and respect human rights, reinforcing its role as a true advocate for peace.
''Beyond the rhetoric, we need to see more proper action and not engage in double speak where we say one thing and support the other,'' Mwangovya concluded.
The call-out comes at a time when PCS Musalia Mudavadi emphasised the need for all-inclusive dialogue to resolve the ongoing conflict.
Mudavadi was speaking during the London Conference on Sudan on Wednesday, where he called for equal pressure on all warring factions to bring them to the negotiating table and advocated for the creation of safe spaces for discussions.
The Sudan war officially entered its second year on April 15, a day when the RSF officially launched its parallel government.
In the two years of the war, over 14 million people have been displaced, mass killings have been witnessed, and the country is faced with famine, threatening thousands with starvation.
