Kenya-Sudan Diplomatic Crisis Deepens as Alfred Mutua’s Mediation Fails
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua’s efforts to mend strained ties between Kenya and Sudan. Hit a snag when Sudan rejected an olive branch, escalating the diplomatic crisis.
Mutua convened a meeting to resolve the Sudan crisis on June 19 and invited representatives from the warring nation. However, Sudan declined the invitation, citing ideological differences.
The Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release. That Kenya was not welcome to preside over meetings to end the conflict in the war-torn country. It alleged that President William Ruto made a biased assessment of the conflict that trivialized the real issue.
Sudan, led by General Abd al-Fattah al-Burhan, argued that Ruto described the conflict as a battle between two generals. Burhan opposed the notion that his rival and paramilitary leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, was his equal.
“The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kenya has invited the Foreign Ministers of the Quartet to a meeting this afternoon, Monday, June 19, 2023.”
The statement read in part, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state that Sudan does not welcome and objects to the convening of this meeting and that Sudan is not concerned with its outcomes.”
Reiterating that it was still awaiting a response from the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) presidency. Regarding its objection to Ruto and Kenya chairing the mechanism, it stated that it was still awaiting response. It continued to advocate for President Salva Kiir to lead the negotiations.
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“Sudan rejects categorically the Kenyan government’s decision to reduce its invitation to the Quartet meeting, describing the conflict in Sudan as a battle between two generals.
The statement read, “The Kenyan government’s handling of the mediation file in this manner contradicts the fundamental principles of IGAD, which are to respect the sovereignty of states.”
In response, Mutua stated that he proceeded with the meeting with other members of the quartet. Namely Djibouti, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, thereby excluding Sudan.
“We discussed how to support the process of our heads of state holding a face-to-face meeting with the two leaders involved in the ongoing violence in Addis Ababa, or we agreed on a location,” Mutua said.
“I wish to reassure the people of the Republic of Sudan that they have not been forgotten and that we are working day and night to ensure that peace, humanitarian aid, and stability are achieved,” he added, avoiding criticism of the warring nation.
Previously, Kenya dismissed Sudan’s protests. Insisting that only IGAD had the authority to recall Ruto from his position as head of the peace mission.
In response to the statement, key government allies in Sudan called for a boycott of Kenyan exports. Diplomatic rhetoric and thinly veiled threats were used to exert pressure on Ruto to resign or gain leverage in the peace negotiations.
“Support Sudan by boycotting Kenyan products, as the country is a hub of conspiracy and aggression against Sudan,” a veteran diplomat from Sudan, Sanaa Hamad, commanded.
She added that Ruto was corrupt and supported the Sudanese militia.
Kenya-Sudan Diplomatic Crisis Deepens as Alfred Mutua’s Mediation Fails
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