Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, and Attorney General Dorcas Oduor have been sued following the controversial hosting of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nairobi.
The RSF, a key player in the ongoing Sudan conflict and accused of committing genocide, convened in Nairobi on Tuesday, February 19, to announce the formation of a parallel government in Khartoum, which they described as a “Government of Peace and Unity”.
Five Kenyans—Evans Omondi, Timothy Karanja, Mjeni Mulinga, Abdulahi Mohamed, and Asha Khadija— have filed a petition arguing that allowing RSF commander Mohamed Dagalo Hamdan, popularly known as “Hemedti,” and his allies to remain in the country and sign agreements undermined Kenya’s sovereignty and its non-involvement in the territorial affairs of other countries.
Through their lawyer, Harry Aruda, the petitioners stated that the move by the Kenya Kwanza administration was endangering Kenyans, as there is a likelihood that the other warring side might take retaliatory measures.
“The actions of the first respondent (RSF) in holding its meeting in Kenya is a violation of the constitution and had caused a diplomatic spat between Kenya and Sudan, who have vowed to retaliate against Kenya, thereby threatening the country’s peace and stability,” said Arruda.
Mudavadi, Murkomen, and Kanja Sued After Kenya Hosted Sudan RSF
The petition further states that Sudan has accused the RSF of genocide, the massacre of civilians on an ethnic basis, attacks on internally displaced persons in camps, and instances of rape.
They further argued that although the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi had claimed that Kenya was a neutral arbiter, the SAF was not present in the country.
“The second respondent’s (CS) response is inaccurate as not all warring factions were presented in the said meeting, and the declaration that came was that of forming a parallel government, which is inconsistent with the role of an impartial state,” he said.
Also Read: US Issues Warning to Kenya After Hosting RSF Rebels
The petitioners want the High Court to block Sudan’s RSF from signing any political agreements with political forces and armed groups in Kenya.
Additionally, they seek to bar Nairobi from interfering with the political interests of another country, arguing that such actions threaten Kenya’s national security, peace, and stability.
This comes after individuals and organizations criticized Kenya for hosting the rebel group, arguing that it contradicted the country’s commitments at the highest level not to allow hostile activities against Sudan.
Sudan Slams Ruto for Hosting Rebels
Sudan’s Foreign Ministry, in its statement, alleged that Nairobi has become one of the main centers for the militia’s political, propaganda, financial, and logistical activities.
It also noted that the Kenyan President had previously accorded a red-carpet reception to the RSF militia leader.
The ministry further stated that President William Ruto had also previously accorded a red-carpet reception to the RSF militia leader and is seen by the majority of the Sudanese people as complicit in the war of aggression being waged against them by the terrorist RSF militia and its foreign mercenaries.
“It is unfortunate that the Kenyan President has placed his personal and commercial interests with the militia’s regional sponsors and the militia’s leadership above the historical relations between the two brotherly countries, the leadership requirements, Kenya’s genuine interests, and the imperatives of regional peace and security, thereby disregarding international and regional agreements,” the statement read in part.
Also Read: Sudan Recalls Ambassador to Kenya With Immediate Effect
US Condemns Kenya
At the same time, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, on Friday, February 21, condemned the Kenyan government’s decision to host the event, calling it an attempt to obscure the truth about the atrocities committed by warring factions since the civil war erupted.
Senator Risch emphasized that he had led efforts in Congress to recognize “RSF-led atrocities in Sudan,” which has since become U.S. policy, adding that Kenya’s actions would not stop the massacre.
“Last year, I led efforts in Congress to recognize RSF-led atrocities in Sudan, which have contributed to over 150,000 deaths, as genocide. In January, it became U.S. policy,” the senator said.
He further stated, “Now, Kenya, a U.S. ally, is helping the RSF legitimize their genocidal rule in #Sudan under the guise of peacemaking—this is an unthinkable attempt to obscure the truth and will not end the massacre.”
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