Kenya on Wednesday remained unapologetic for hosting the Rapid Paramilitary Forces (RSF), the group at war with Sudanese Armed Forces for close to two years.
Nairobi said hosting the group was the first step of supporting peace efforts in Sudan and cited its long history in conflict mediation on the continent.
Kenya refuted accusations that it had violated Sudan’s sovereignty, arguing that it was providing a non-partisan platform for affected parties.
“When Kenya offers this space, it is without any ulterior motives," said Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs in a statement.
He said that Kenya remains committed to working with regional bodies, including the African Union (AU) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), to support Sudanese-led efforts toward stability.
He cited the globally acclaimed Machakos Protocol of 2002 that ended the Sudan II civil war, which was concluded in Kenya.
"Kenya has a long history of providing platforms for peace negotiations without taking sides," he said.
He argued that Kenya's actions were in line with its broader role in peace negotiations and its commitment to supporting Sudan in finding a resolution to its ongoing political crisis.
“We note that this is not the first time groups in Sudan have sought solutions to their crisis by leveraging the good offices of neighbouring countries. Indeed, in January 2024, parties and stakeholders to the Sudanese conflict met in a neighbouring country to chart a way forward on inclusive dialogue and return to civilian rule,” Mr Mudavadi said. Sudanese armed groups and civil movements have previously met in Juba, as well as Addis Ababa, for discussions that didn't lead to any deal.
“Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese civilian groups' tabling of a roadmap and proposed leadership in Nairobi is compatible with Kenya's role in peace negotiation, which enjoins her to provide non-partisan platforms to conflict parties to seek resolutions. We continue to offer a non-partisan space for conflicting parties to find common ground and Kenya stands in solidarity with the Sudanese people as they determine their future governance through inclusive discussions,” Mr Mudavadi said.
The government’s stance comes amid increasing regional pressure to find a solution to the Sudanese crisis, which has drawn the attention of the international community.
On Tuesday, Sudan issued a statement saying that Kenya’s move to host the meeting was “tantamount to an act of hostility,” particularly as it preceded a planned announcement of a parallel government by the RSF.
RSF deputy commander Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo led the Sudanese delegation at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, and announced that a significant announcement would be made on Friday.
The RSF meeting has now corroborated what the SAF leadership has consistently asserted: that its leaders, including RSF commander General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo ‘Hemedti,’ have unrestricted access to Nairobi's State House due to his longstanding ties with Kenyan officials.
“We extend our thanks to Kenya for hosting and facilitating this meeting. We have now developed a draft constitution, supported by all stakeholders, which outlines a transitional government for Sudan,” RSF said in a statement on Tuesday.
Previous administrations have hosted many rebel leaders such as Yoweri Museveni, John Garang, Salva Kiir and Paul Kagame, but were never allowed to make such a daring declaration.
The conflict in Sudan has resulted in the deaths of more than 24,000 people and displaced more than 14 million – about 30 percent of the population – according to the United Nations. Another 3.2 million Sudanese have fled to neighbouring countries to escape the violence.
On Tuesday, Sudanese authorities reported that recent RSF attacks had killed more than 400 civilians, including infants.
