International Commission of Jurists Calls for Action Against Kenya’s Alleged Support for Sudan’s RSF
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has issued a stern call for action, demanding that the Kenyan government address concerns about its alleged support for Sudan’s paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
This call comes amid growing controversy over Kenya’s relationship with the RSF and its implications for international peace and security.
In a strongly worded statement, the ICJ expressed deep concern about Kenya’s apparent support for the RSF.
The organization urged the Kenyan government to fulfill its international obligations, including commitments under the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and international human rights laws.
The ICJ’s statement specifically targeted a recent remark by Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, regarding the Kenyan government’s decision to host RSF officials in Nairobi.
The ICJ called on President William Ruto to publicly denounce Mudavadi’s statement, describing it as an indication of bias in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
“We urgently call on the Kenyan government to immediately withdraw the statement made by the Prime Cabinet Secretary, which seemed to confirm support for the RSF. The government should also issue a clear and sincere apology to the people of Sudan,” the ICJ said.
On February 19, 2025, Mudavadi had defended Kenya’s decision to host the RSF meeting, arguing that the country’s actions were in line with its long-standing commitment to peace negotiations and providing neutral grounds for resolving conflicts.
He referenced the Machakos Protocol of 2002, a peace agreement that helped end Sudan’s second civil war, to emphasize Kenya’s role in facilitating impartial conflict resolution.
Despite Mudavadi’s justification, the move sparked widespread criticism. Reports suggest that Sudan’s government was considering imposing sanctions on Kenya due to the decision.
The ICJ joined the chorus of disapproval, arguing that Kenya’s actions could undermine international peace efforts and jeopardize the safety of Sudanese refugees in Kenya.
“The Kenyan government’s actions threaten peacekeeping initiatives, including those led by civil society groups, and may put Sudanese refugees in Kenya at risk. The RSF, the perpetrators of their suffering, is on the verge of establishing an illegal government,” the ICJ added.
Kenya’s decision to allow RSF officials to meet in Nairobi gained further controversy when RSF representatives signed a charter in the city to form a parallel government. This charter paves the way for the RSF to govern areas under its control, advocating for a secular state and a unified national army.
In addition to the immediate withdrawal of the statement by Mudavadi, the ICJ also called for the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council to take a firm stand against any moves by the warring parties in Sudan to unilaterally declare a government in exile.
Such actions, according to the ICJ, would undermine efforts to secure an inclusive peace agreement to address Sudan’s many conflicts.
The ICJ’s demands reflect mounting concerns over the potential consequences of Kenya’s actions in the context of the Sudanese conflict and its wider implications for regional and international peace efforts.
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