Sudan recalls Kenya envoy, accuses Ruto of undermining ties
February 20, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s foreign ministry said on Thursday it had recalled its ambassador to Kenya, Kamal Jabara, and sharply criticized Kenyan President William Ruto, accusing him of prioritizing commercial and personal interests over historic bilateral relations.
According to a ministry statement seen by Sudan Tribune, the ambassador’s recall came in protest against “Kenya’s hosting of meetings of the rebel militia and its allies, in another hostile step against Sudan.”
In a separate statement, the ministry rejected the Kenyan government’s justifications for hosting the meetings. The meetings aimed to establish a political charter between the RSF, armed factions, and political groups, laying the groundwork for a parallel government to Sudan’s current ruling authority.
The ministry described President Ruto’s position as “shameful” for “embracing and encouraging a conspiracy to establish a government for a genocidal militia and its followers.”
It deemed the move a violation of Sudan’s sovereignty and national security, a serious threat to regional peace and security, and an assault on good neighbourly relations.
The ministry called the meetings “a dangerous precedent not witnessed by the region or the continent before.”
It asserted that the Nairobi gatherings were meetings between “the terrorist Janjaweed militia and its followers, aimed at establishing a parallel government to the legitimate existing government.”
The ministry further stated that Nairobi’s hosting of these meetings was the culmination of Kenyan presidential support “for the terrorist militia in various fields.”
It said that “Nairobi has become a major hub for the political, propaganda, financial, and logistical activities of the militia,” noting that the Kenyan president had previously “received the leader of the terrorist militia with the reception accorded to heads of state.”
The Sudanese foreign ministry emphasized that the government had previously attempted to change this stance through diplomatic channels but to no avail.
“Regrettably, the Kenyan president prioritizes his commercial and personal interests with regional patrons of the militia and the terrorist militia’s leadership over the historic relations between the two countries,” it said. It added that Ruto was ignoring “the requirements of leadership and his country’s true interests, the necessities of regional peace and security, and is thus violating international and regional charters.”
Last Tuesday, the Sudanese foreign ministry expressed regret over Kenya’s permission for the “political charter” event, intended to pave the way for a parallel RSF government. It deemed it an encouragement for division and a declaration of hostility towards the Sudanese people.
Preliminary steps to form a new political alliance comprising political forces and armed groups supporting the RSF took place in Nairobi on Tuesday. A political charter is expected to be signed in three days, leading to constitutional arrangements and the formation of a government in RSF-controlled areas.
