Ruto Responds to Claims Linking Kenya to Sudan’s RSF
President William Ruto has strongly denied allegations suggesting that his government is involved with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The claims, which accuse Kenya of arms smuggling and supporting either side in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, have been dismissed by the President as false and politically motivated.
The conflict in Sudan has significantly worsened the humanitarian crisis, drawing international attention, but Ruto emphasized that Kenya’s involvement has always been centered on promoting peace and dialogue in the region.
Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Ruto clarified that Kenya has maintained a neutral position throughout the crisis. He insisted that the government has not supported the RSF or any armed group, and accused reports suggesting otherwise of being inaccurate and misleading.
“These claims are completely false,” he said. “Kenya’s role has always been about encouraging dialogue, building bridges, and fostering peace among communities in the region.”
Ruto also addressed allegations that Kenya had hosted RSF operatives in Nairobi. The claims were initially made by Sudan’s government, which suggested that Kenya was providing safe haven to rebel elements.
The President firmly rejected these accusations, stating that Kenya, as a democratic nation, is a safe place for open discussions, peace initiatives, and civic engagement.
He explained that meetings in Nairobi often include civil society members, church leaders, women’s groups, and community leaders who discuss issues affecting their countries.
“Kenya is a strong democracy in this region,” Ruto said. “People can come here and meet freely.
The meeting in question was not about military operations but about leaders, communities, and civil society coming together to talk about the challenges facing their country. Such gatherings are normal and happen in other countries too.”
He further noted that Nairobi has been unfairly scrutinized compared to other nations. Similar meetings have occurred in neighboring countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, without attracting the same criticism.
“The DRC, for instance, has hosted similar meetings, yet we never see the same allegations directed at them,” Ruto added. “There are always allegations in a democracy, but they are not necessarily true. Sometimes, people meet here in Nairobi without my knowledge, and that is normal in a free society.”
Ruto reiterated Kenya’s neutral stance in the Sudan conflict, emphasizing that the country encourages dialogue rather than siding with any party.
He also shared his views on the nature of the conflict, stating that both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF bear responsibility for the turmoil.
“Both the SAF and RSF are essentially cut from the same cloth,” Ruto explained. “They emerged from the overthrow of a people’s government, and there is no clear moral difference between the two sides.
Both generals are attempting to resolve the crisis through military means, which is why the situation has escalated. This is fundamentally a governance problem, not a conflict where one side is entirely right or wrong.”
The controversy around Kenya arose after a joint investigation by NTV and open-source intelligence platform Bellingcat surfaced.
The investigation presented images of ammunition crates labeled with Kenyan markings, allegedly discovered in an RSF depot near Khartoum, Sudan’s capital.
Although the exact contents of the crates could not be independently confirmed, the Sudanese Armed Forces displayed the ammunition in widely circulated videos, suggesting the arms were either purchased or supplied to Kenya’s Ministry of Defence. Kenya’s government, however, rejected all these claims.
In response to these tensions, Sudan suspended all imports from Kenya on March 14 this year. The decision followed Sudan’s claim that Kenya had hosted RSF operatives.
The ban included all imports entering Sudan through ports, railways, and air transport, effectively halting trade between the two countries temporarily.
Ruto concluded by emphasizing Kenya’s continued commitment to peace and stability in the region, reiterating that the country will maintain its neutral stance while promoting dialogue and humanitarian support for those affected by conflicts in Sudan and beyond.
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