Special Advisor of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Commander Izzadin Al Safi has clarified that they are in Kenya for peace talks and to find resolutions aimed at ending the war in Sudan.
Speaking on Wednesday, Al Safi dismissed any claims of forming a government, saying that is a decision that can only be made in Sudan, not in any other country.
“We are in Kenya not to establish a government, nor are we here to govern from outside Sudan. When the time comes to form a government, we will return to Sudan, where the people will decide their future,” he said.
Al Safi said Kenya serves as a neutral ground for facilitation and dialogue, helping them address the root causes of Sudan’s crisis.
This, he added, is just as former leaders did in 2005 during negotiations between North and South Sudan
“We are following the footprints of our previous leaders who got together and solved the problems of Sudan,” he said.
“Right now, we want to end all wars in Sudan. We are here to discuss the root cause of the problem and to discuss the challenges and come up with several solutions.”
The Commander said they will continue discussing the possibility of ending the war and alleviating the suffering that the Sudanese people are facing including lack of humanitarian aid.
Al Safi said in the next couple of days, they will discuss different principles to unify and bring peace to Sudan.
He thanked the Kenyan government and people for welcoming them to negotiate and solve their conflicts.
Al Safi’s remarks come shortly after the Sudanese government accused Kenya of hostility after it allowed RSF to host its activities at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Sudan said in a statement that Kenya has also violated the principles of good neighbourliness by doing this.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted that this is also against Kenya's pledges to not allow hostility against Sudan in its territory
“Hosting leaders of the terrorist RSF militia and allowing them to conduct political and propaganda activities constitutes an endorsement of and complicity in these heinous crimes," Sudan said.
“Equally, this action by the Kenyan government not only violates the principles of good neighbourliness but also contravenes the pledges Kenya has made at the highest levels not to allow hostile activities against Sudan to be carried out on its soil. It is, therefore, tantamount to an act of hostility against the entire Sudanese people."
However, the Kenyan government insisted that Kenya is not supporting RFS
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei told the Star on Tuesday that, “quite to the contrary, Kenya is a supporter of a negotiated settlement to the dispute and has said as much time without number
“That one side to the conflict is laying down her political demands in no way suggests that the government favours these demands,” Sing’oei said.
