Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has issued a statement on the situation in Sudan, defending the recent meeting in Nairobi organized by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese civil groups, claiming that it upholds Kenya’s tradition of offering impartial mediation to conflicting parties.
The statement Read
1. The Government of the Republic of Kenya continues to closely monitor the evolving political and security situation in the Republic of Sudan. The conflict in Sudan which has dragged on for twenty-two months now, continues to devastate a nation that, just four years ago, was on a positive trajectory of stability, democracy, and prosperity for its people. Regrettably, Sudan’s democratic process was cut short and the resultant crisis degenerated into a ravaging internal war.
2. The conflict has escalated into one of the world’s worst humanitarian and security crises. Unfortunately, there has been little progress in resolution efforts, putting it at risk of becoming a forgotten conflict.
3. Today, an estimated 11 million people have been displaced, most of them children and women. The regional impact of the crisis is profound, with the neighbouring countries including Kenya, bearing the responsibility of managing the refugee crisis with already overstretched humanitarian infrastructure.
4. The crisis in Sudan demands urgent regional and global attention. With its credentials as an enabler of peace in the region and across the globe Kenya remains at the forefront of seeking solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. As a country, we have committed 2 million USD towards global and regional initiatives to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan.
5. Kenya has historically hosted refugees and asylum seekers from conflict-affected countries in the region and beyond, and currently is home to several Sudanese refugees, particularly from civil society groups, including the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Tagaddum). We do this in line with our international obligations enshrined in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other instruments of international law.
6. Kenya has established a history of facilitating dialogue between conflicting parties from neighbouring and regional states including providing good offices that have seen peace agreements signed in Kenya. Indeed, the globally acclaimed Machakos Protocol of 2002 that ended the Sudan II civil war was concluded in Kenya. When Kenya offers this space, it is without any ulterior motives. It is because we believe there is no military solution to political disputes.
7. The need for a delicate balance between security objectives and a return to civilian rule in Sudan should be prioritized to achieve democracy and prosperity for the people of Sudan. In this regard, Kenya aligns with the African Union (AU) Charter on the Unconstitutional Change of Government and the 27th October 2021 AU decision suspending Sudan from all activities of the AU including the just-ended African Union Commission (AUC) elections.
8. 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. 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.
9. Kenya therefore reiterates its solidarity with the people of Sudan as they define their destiny and future political governance through inclusive dialogue. Kenya is confident that the Sudanese people will find a quick solution to the current situation, and in a manner that safeguards its security and that of the region. On its part, Kenya remains ready, individually and collectively through IGAD, AU, and other regional mechanisms, to support any efforts agreed upon by the people of Sudan, in ensuring stability and prosperity of their country and the entire Horn of Africa region.
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