Kenya faces diplomatic tensions following Vice President Kithure Kindiki’s welcome of RSF leader Hemedti, prompting Sudan to accuse Kenya of irresponsibility and violating international norms. The RSF’s ongoing conflict with the Sudanese army and Kenya’s engagement in regional conflicts indicate a departure from neutrality. Human rights organizations also criticize Kenya for its treatment of opposition leaders and asylum-seekers, contributing to possible international isolation.
Recent diplomatic tensions have surfaced following Kenyan Vice President Kithure Kindiki’s welcome of Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The United Nations has implicated the RSF in severe human rights abuses in Sudan, leading Sudan to condemn Kenya’s engagement with the RSF as an “irresponsible stance,” which includes recalling its ambassador to Kenya. Sudan’s accusations categorize Kenya as a nation defying international norms.
The ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army has persisted since April 2023, resulting in over 12.5 million displaced individuals and thousands of fatalities. Both the RSF and Sudanese military have faced sanctions from the United States and the United Nations due to their involvement in these atrocities. In February 2024, a summit in Nairobi, where RSF leaders signed a charter for a parallel government in Sudan, was criticized by multiple stakeholders, including the U.S. and U.N., who view it as further destabilization.
In response to the accusations, the Kenyan government has asserted its neutrality, stating its dedication to facilitating peace efforts amidst the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. However, the U.S. State Department and the U.N. Security Council have expressed significant concern about Kenya’s involvement with the RSF, emphasizing that it undermines peace and stability in the region, which may lead to Kenya’s increasing isolation internationally.
Kenya’s engagement in regional conflicts is not limited to Sudan. In late 2023, Kenya hosted members of the M23 rebel group, which has been involved in serious human rights violations in the DRC. The DRC government reacted decisively by recalling its ambassador and expelling Kenyan troops, while President Felix Tshisekedi boycotted a summit led by Kenyan President William Ruto.
Human rights organizations have raised alarm over Kenya’s adherence to international human rights principles. They report incidents of abduction and illegal deportation of opposition leaders and asylum-seekers, with cases such as the deportation of four asylum-seekers to Turkey and the abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, highlighting Kenya’s troubling human rights record.
In conclusion, Kenya’s positioning in regional conflicts, particularly regarding the RSF and the M23 rebels, has raised significant concerns about its neutrality and adherence to diplomatic norms. The accusations from Sudan, coupled with human rights violations within its borders, suggest that Kenya is increasingly distancing itself from its historical role as a mediator in regional disputes. Its growing isolation from international advocacy for human rights and peace raises questions about its commitment to global norms and might lead to its classification as a rogue state.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
