RSF Leader Once Hosted by Ruto Sentenced to Death
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, has been sentenced to death in absentia after a Sudanese court found him guilty over the alleged killing of a former regional governor and a series of serious crimes committed during the ongoing conflict in the country.
According to reports from Sudanese media, a special anti-terrorism court handed down the death sentence to Hemedti on Sunday, July 12, alongside 15 other individuals linked to the RSF.
Those convicted include his brother and deputy commander, Abdel Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, who was also found guilty of playing a key role in the alleged crimes.
The ruling marks the first major court judgment against Hemedti since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF in April 2023, plunging the country into a devastating civil war that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of people.
The court found the accused guilty of several serious offences, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and crimes against both civilians and property.
In its judgment, the court stated that Hemedti was responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing the commission of the crimes, while his deputy was convicted for allegedly helping organise and participate in the attacks that formed the basis of the charges.
The latest court ruling comes at a time when Hemedti’s past engagements with Kenya and President William Ruto continue to attract attention and debate.
The RSF leader’s relationship with Nairobi has remained a sensitive diplomatic issue, especially following a number of high-profile meetings that were strongly criticised by Sudan’s military-led administration.
In January 2024, President William Ruto welcomed Hemedti at State House in Nairobi, saying the meeting formed part of Kenya’s efforts to promote peace talks through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The Kenyan government maintained that engaging all parties involved in the conflict was necessary to encourage dialogue and support regional peace initiatives.
However, the meeting triggered a diplomatic dispute between Kenya and Sudan. Sudan’s army-backed government accused Nairobi of giving legitimacy to the RSF, a group it considers responsible for widespread violence across the country.
Khartoum also questioned Kenya’s neutrality in the conflict and later recalled its ambassador from Nairobi in protest over the meeting.
The tensions escalated further in February 2025 after individuals linked to the RSF gathered in Nairobi and announced plans to establish a parallel administration in Sudan.
The development drew fresh criticism from Sudan’s authorities, who accused Kenya of interfering in Sudan’s internal political affairs and supporting efforts to undermine the country’s recognised government.
Reports have also claimed that some senior RSF officials were issued Kenyan passports to ease their international travel despite facing sanctions imposed by global organisations, including the United Nations.
These allegations have fuelled further debate over Kenya’s relationship with the paramilitary group and its role in the Sudan conflict.
In addition, Kenya has faced accusations from some quarters of supplying weapons to the RSF and offering protection or asylum to some of its leaders.
These claims have repeatedly surfaced during the conflict and have continued to strain diplomatic relations between Nairobi and Khartoum.
Despite the accusations, the Kenyan government has consistently rejected any claims that it is supporting the RSF.
Officials have maintained that Kenya’s engagement with all parties is solely aimed at encouraging dialogue, supporting mediation efforts, and helping find a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Sudan.
President William Ruto has also defended Kenya’s position on several occasions, insisting that the country remains committed to promoting peace and stability in the region.
He has maintained that Kenya has not taken sides in the Sudanese conflict and that its involvement is focused entirely on supporting diplomatic efforts to end the war through negotiations rather than military action.
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