A risk worth taking: Foreign Affairs PS praises Kenya’s diplomacy amid Sudan spat
Kenya’s diplomatic efforts in regional peacemaking have drawn praise from Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei who described the country’s commitment to peace as a necessary risk in a volatile region.
In a post on X on Thursday, February 20, 2025, Sing’Oei underscored Nairobi’s role in facilitating dialogue amid escalating conflicts in East and Central Africa.
The Foreign Affairs PS described Kenya’s peace diplomacy as bold, steadfast, and dependable, emphasizing that peacemaking is a risk only those truly dedicated are willing to take.
“Kenya’s peace diplomacy: bold, steadfast, dependable. Peacemaking is a risk that only those dedicated to it are willing to pay,” Sing’Oei posted on X.
Sing’Oei’s remarks came after President William Ruto hosted a high-level delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to address the worsening security situation in Eastern DRC.
The talks, held in Ruto’s capacity as Chair of the East African Community (EAC), focused on implementing resolutions from recent regional summits, including the Joint Summit of the EAC and Southern African Development Community (SADC) held in Dar es Salaam on February 8, 2025.
“We discussed options as agreed during the Joint Summit of EAC-SADC and the African Union Peace and Security Council meeting in Addis Ababa,” Ruto said Tuesday, highlighting the urgency of coordinated regional action to end the violence that has displaced thousands in the DRC.
Diplomatic spat with Sudan
Kenya’s active mediation in the DRC conflict has been widely welcomed, but its simultaneous involvement in Sudan’s political crisis has stirred controversy.
On February 18, Nairobi hosted a meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) with Sudanese political factions and armed groups aligned with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been locked in a power struggle with Sudan’s military since 2023.
Sudan’s foreign ministry swiftly condemned the meeting, accusing Kenya of undermining its sovereignty and enabling hostile forces.
“Hosting RSF leaders and allowing them to conduct political and propaganda activities while committing atrocities is an act of hostility against the Sudanese people,” the ministry said in a strongly worded statement.
Citing an earlier meeting with President Ruto in January, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssif claimed Kenya had pledged not to support any RSF-backed political formation – a commitment Sudan now claims Nairobi has violated.
In response, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi reiterated the country’s neutral stance and longstanding role as a peace facilitator.
“Kenya stands with the people of Sudan as they determine their future through inclusive dialogue,” Mudavadi said.
“We remain ready to support peace efforts through regional bodies like IGAD, the African Union, and other mechanisms aimed at stabilizing the Horn of Africa.”
Mudavadi acknowledged the delicate balance between addressing security concerns and restoring civilian rule in Sudan, stressing that Kenya aligns with the African Union’s stance against unconstitutional changes of government.
Sing’Oei’s statement spotlighted Kenya’s broader diplomatic strategy: embracing the risks of peacemaking to promote stability across a region marked by complex and deep-rooted conflicts.
While Kenya’s approach has drawn both praise and criticism, its leadership in regional diplomacy remains pivotal as East and Central Africa confront pressing security challenges.
