Kenya walks diplomatic tightrope on Sudan amid accusations of RSF ties

President William Ruto (right) when he held talks with the leader of Rapid Support Forces Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo at State House, Nairobi on January 3, 2023. (Photo: PCS)

By Mwangi Maina
Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Mudavadi reaffirmed Nairobi's alignment with the African Union's stance, which suspended Sudan from the continental bloc following the 2021 military takeover.

Kenya has subtly signalled its non-recognition of Sudan's military-led government under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, with Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi citing the ongoing "audit" of the regime's legitimacy.

In a tense interview aired Monday evening on Citizen TV, Mudavadi reaffirmed Nairobi's alignment with the African Union's stance, which suspended Sudan from the continental bloc following the 2021 military takeover.

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"The people in authority in Sudan are not there in a democratic process," Mudavadi said, adding that "Sudan has got a lot of work to do."

However, he stopped short of delivering a decisive statement on Kenya's formal recognition of the General Abdel Fattah-led government.

Despite its suspension, the African Union has continued engaging with Sudan's military authorities.

On Tuesday, the AU Commission (AUC) welcomed the appointment of Kamil Idris as Sudan's new prime minister, describing it as "a step toward inclusive governance."

AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf noted the development "will contribute meaningfully to ongoing efforts to restore constitutional order and democratic governance in Sudan."

Back in Nairobi, Mudavadi faced sharp questions over Kenya's alleged complicity in facilitating the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group at the heart of Sudan's brutal civil conflict.

In February, the RSF and allied factions signed a charter in Nairobi aimed at forming a unity government—a move that drew immediate condemnation from Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council and raised concerns about Kenya's neutrality.

Responding to the allegations, Mudavadi was unequivocal: "What we want is to have peace," he said, denying that Kenya played any role in facilitating the RSF's activities or their political manoeuvring in Nairobi.

Pressed further on claims that Kenya may be involved in gold dealings with the RSF—led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as "Hemedti"—Mudavadi responded curtly: "There are no business deals."

He rejected the suggestion that Kenya has enabled RSF-linked gold smuggling.

Yet allegations continue to swirl, especially given that President William Ruto himself has been repeatedly accused, most notably by his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, of having direct ties to Hemedti through suspected gold laundering networks.

Ruto has yet to personally deny the claims.

When questioned about broader foreign involvement in Sudan's conflict, Mudavadi struck a more diplomatic tone: "A country must engage for peace to be restored," he said—an attempt to balance Kenya's foreign policy doctrine of regional peacebuilding with growing scrutiny over its entanglements.