Foreign Minister’s Visit to Kenya: A Breakthrough and Opening Closed Doors

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Moussa
Alongside the Sudanese Army’s rapid victories on the battlefield, Sudanese diplomacy has actively engaged with influential countries that have played both positive and negative roles in the Sudanese conflict. These efforts aim to achieve external breakthroughs, particularly with nations that have supported the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia.
Support for Sudan’s Reintegration
In a significant visit, Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Ali Youssef, travelled to Kenya at the invitation of Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi. During his visit, Youssef met with Kenyan President William Ruto, who expressed his support for Sudan’s reintegration into the African Union and IGAD. Ruto also emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations in political and economic sectors and coordinating efforts in international forums.
Joint Statement
The Sudanese and Kenyan foreign ministers held bilateral talks to enhance relations and explore opportunities for cooperation across various fields. The talks culminated in a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties in economic, political, and multilateral diplomacy.
Both sides pledged to support political dialogue, address regional and international challenges such as terrorism, extremism, and human trafficking, and work together to promote peace in the region. They also agreed to continue political consultations between the two nations and resume the work of the joint ministerial committee.
Minister Youssef conveyed greetings from General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, and his desire to bolster relations with Kenya. He also updated President Ruto on the significant political and military developments in Sudan, including the army’s victories over the RSF and the liberation of key areas. Ruto welcomed the invitation to visit Sudan, with the date to be arranged through diplomatic channels.
A Visit at a Critical Time
Minister Ali Youssef’s visit to Nairobi comes at a pivotal moment as the Sudanese Army gains momentum in a nearly two-year-long conflict. Kenya’s potential support for lifting Sudan’s suspension from the African Union and Ruto’s agreement to visit Port Sudan signal a possible shift in Nairobi’s stance. Such a visit would implicitly acknowledge Sudan’s legitimacy, a notable change from Kenya’s earlier support for the RSF.
This visit raises questions about the significance of Kenya’s support within the African Union, the implications of Ruto’s visit to Port Sudan, and whether similar diplomatic engagements could extend to Chad and the UAE.
Breaking Isolation
Osman Mirghani, editor-in-chief of Al-Tayar newspaper, described Minister Youssef’s approach as “zeroing out hostilities.” Speaking to Al-Muhaqeq, Mirghani emphasized the need to move beyond confrontations through diplomacy to resolve problems rather than avoid them. He praised Youssef’s efforts in Nairobi as a breakthrough in bilateral relations and a step toward rebuilding Sudan’s ties with Africa.
Mirghani expects this strategy to open more doors and gradually break Sudan’s diplomatic isolation. He also predicted future visits to Chad as part of Youssef’s ambitious roadmap and praised the minister’s courage, innovative ideas, and alignment with Sudan’s leadership.
Reopening Closed Doors
Mirghani suggested that Youssef would likely work to mend relations with the UAE, visit London and the European Union, and reassess Sudan’s relationship with the United States. He believes Egypt could play a key mediating role in fostering understanding with the UAE, which, if successful, could pave the way for a formal visit.
Kenya’s Shifting Stance
Political analyst and journalist Maki El-Maghrabi noted that Kenya has shown signs of shifting its stance toward Sudan despite external pressures. He explained to Al-Muhaqeq that Kenyan President William Ruto operates within a fragile political alliance, which limits his ability to unilaterally shape foreign policy.
El-Maghrabi argued that Sudan’s consistent diplomacy and the growing realization among Kenyan leaders of the risks of supporting the RSF have contributed to this shift. He drew parallels with similar changes in the positions of Djibouti and the Central African Republic, both of which moved from neutrality or support for the RSF to siding with Sudan.
Challenges with Chad and the UAE
While a visit to Chad remains part of Youssef’s plans, El-Maghrabi believes it will require preliminary understandings and a mediator, such as Egypt. He also ruled out an imminent visit to the UAE, warning that such a move could destabilize Sudan’s internal unity. Instead, he suggested that lower-level meetings in neutral locations might be more feasible at this stage.
El-Maghrabi concluded that any attempt to soften Sudan’s stance toward the UAE without careful preparation could provoke strong public opposition.
A Step Toward Rebuilding Sudan’s Standing
Minister Ali Youssef’s diplomatic efforts reflect a bold strategy to rebuild Sudan’s regional and international standing. By engaging with countries like Kenya and potentially others, Sudan aims to secure support for its reintegration into the African Union, strengthen bilateral relations, and counteract the influence of RSF supporters. These moves signal a new phase in Sudan’s foreign policy, focused on breaking isolation, fostering partnerships, and achieving long-term stability.