Gov’t dismisses Sudan army circular blaming Kenya for ongoing conflict

The Kenyan government has dismissed a circular by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) blaming Nairobi for the ongoing conflict in the Sudan.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry, in a statement on Tuesday, said SAF’s allegations in its note to diplomatic and consular missions in various capitals were baseless.

“While it is not in Kenya's interest to engage in needless exchanges, especially on a matter so grievous and intractable, it is nonetheless incumbent to put the record straight and to urge people and nations of goodwill to disregard those tirades as baseless,” it said.

Nairobi maintained it has worked hard to broker a solution in the Sudan conflict within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) framework and other regional mechanisms.

“Kenya has met leaders of the two main warring sides in Nairobi, both simultaneously and at separate intervals, in accordance with its unrivalled credentials for peaceful conflict mediation,” read the statement.

The Foreign Ministry referenced Kenya hosting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied groups in Nairobi in February to sign a transitional constitution, taking them closer to forming a parallel government.

While this was widely condemned and seen as taking sides in the conflict, Kenya maintained neutrality in solving the conflict.

“The convening of this dialogue forum in our capital, Nairobi, or elsewhere on Kenya's territory, neither equates to endorsing any forum's outcome nor constitutes the formation of an exile government as has been alleged,” Tuesday’s statement said.

“As the conflict remains unresolved, it will continue to concern the region and the world at large, and Kenya will not remain passive. Kenya, therefore, urges key players in the conflict in Sudan to find a pathway to peaceful resolution and end the bloodletting.”