Is Kenya Reviewing its Position From Being an RSF Militia Incubator?
By: Muhannad Awad Mahmoud
As Sudan’s war stretches beyond its second year, the balance of power is no longer dictated solely by military fronts. Political and diplomatic battles have become pivotal in managing the conflict and shaping its outcomes. In this context, Kenya’s role has emerged as a source of legitimate concern for many Sudanese, particularly after Nairobi became, for a time, an open platform for political and media activity led by allies of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
From the Kenyan capital, statements and declarations emerged under vague banners like “the new civilian transition” and “a political solution beyond traditional frameworks”—terms that mask a clear attempt to repackage the military rebellion under fabricated civilian façades. Nairobi hosted, for several months, meetings and forums that included well-known figures with overt hostility toward the Sudanese Armed Forces. These gatherings spearheaded political and media campaigns aimed at rebranding the RSF as a legitimate political actor, blatantly ignoring the militia’s grave crimes and violations in Khartoum and other states.
What was most alarming was not just the content of these activities, but Kenya’s tacit stance—its failure to restrain or clarify its position, which was seen as implicit alignment with a rebel group attempting to impose its agenda by force rather than through popular or electoral legitimacy. Sudanese frustration was further inflamed by the fact that these events coincided with heightened RSF offensives on the ground, in places like El Fasher and Kordofan, creating the impression that Nairobi’s political messaging was fueling and encouraging the militia’s battlefield efforts.
As Sudanese anger grew, the Sudanese government voiced clear opposition to these activities and condemned Kenya for hosting the RSF’s political allies. This pressure led to a series of Kenyan statements suggesting a shift in posture, including a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement asserting that Kenya “does not endorse any agenda”—a subtle but notable retreat from its previous tone. Although this shift came late, it provides a foundation that must be built upon, particularly since a genuine softening of Kenya’s stance could diminish the RSF’s international political presence—at a time when several African nations are beginning to realize that tolerating the RSF could open the door to chaos threatening the entire region.
If Kenya does, in fact, choose to withdraw from this ambiguous role, the RSF will lose one of its most important platforms for reshaping its image and for reaching international actors through unofficial channels. Such a reduction in the RSF’s political space outside Sudan would represent a strategic blow to the rebellion—on par with military gains achieved by the Sudanese Armed Forces on the ground.
For Sudan, the situation calls for a smart and balanced diplomatic approach: strengthening ties with influential African countries and deepening cooperation with Nairobi to recalibrate the political rhythm and shield the region from the dangers of external manipulation of internal conflicts. Sudanese-Kenyan cooperation must be grounded in mutual respect, non-interference, and shared developmental interests—not in creating openings for actors bent on dismantling the Sudanese state from within.
What happened in Nairobi is no trivial detail—it is a real test of Africa’s stance on armed conflict: will the continent uphold the rule of law and order, or remain neutral between a legitimate state and a violent rebellion? Kenya must now prove—with actions, not words—that it stands on the right side.
The Sudanese are not asking for anyone’s support, nor do they expect outsiders to defend their homeland. But they demand their rightful expectation: that their regional neighborhood not be used as a platform to legitimize bloodshed or smuggle chaos under the guise of politics. This is a message understood by those who seek peace, and ignored by those who have surrendered their decisions to agendas indifferent to innocent lives.
Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=6865