Sudan’s RSF Leaders Did Not Meet In Nairobi To Form A Parallel Government

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

• If President Ruto was siding with RSF as Kenyan opposition leaders allege, you would not have expected the Sudan crisis to feature in his talks with the US Secretary of State.
• Rubio informed the Kenyan head of state that the US government appreciated his role in resolving the conflicts in DRC and Sudan.
• As a chair of East Africa Community (EAC), President Donald Trump administration reiterates its commitment to continue working with you in ensuring that peace and stability is restored in the two troubled countries.
• The Nairobi meeting brought together leaders of RSF and allied groups to sign a return to peace and security pact.

Contrary to the impression created by the critics of President William Ruto, Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leaders did not meet in Nairobi to form a parallel government.

It is worth to note that this meeting took place around the time that President Ruto held a telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio which centered on the role that the Government of Kenya was playing in resolving conflicts in Sudan as well as Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This conversation came hot on heels of reports that the US government had declared RSF as a terrorist organization.

If President Ruto was siding with RSF as Kenyan opposition leaders allege, you would not have expected the Sudan crisis to feature in his talks with the US Secretary of State.

Rubio informed the Kenyan head of state that the US government  appreciated his role in resolving the conflicts in DRC and Sudan.

As a chair of East Africa Community (EAC), President Donald Trump administration reiterates its commitment to continue working with you in ensuring that peace and stability is restored in the two troubled countries.

The Nairobi meeting brought together leaders of RSF and allied groups to sign a return to peace and security pact.

This was a key step as the pact formed the basis of negotiation and mediation processes with the other camp.

It is worth noting the Sudan crisis pits Sudan army and RSF paramilitary.

A few days earlier, I had stumbled on a post in social media ‘faulting’ President William Ruto for hosting Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rebel group.

After reading it, this is what came to my mind.

These allegations that President Ruto was taking side in this conflict originated from the Kenyan opposition leaders who were working jointly with Sudan’s opponents of Kenyan head of state.

On Sudan’s side, one of the little known Spokesman was behind this dirty game.

That is if it turns out this person is one who had written a letter circulating in social media.

This letter was vague as it lacked tangible evidence of Kenya’s involvement.

Again, why would the Spokesman use social media to communicate the message.

The ultimate goal of Dr Ruto’s opponents was to paint him in bad light and allege that this is one of the reasons why former Prime Minister Raila Odinga lost the coveted seat of Africa Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.

Remember these are same Kenyan opposition leaders who have been alleging that President Ruto ‘have a hand in the abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye and surrendering him to President Yoweri Museveni’.

This is despite the fact Besigye was not coming to Kenya to seek political asylum.

These allegations were fake and made in bad faith.

Besigye had come to attend the launch of a book authored by Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua following the invitation that Karua had sent to him.

Many believe apart from sending an invitation letter to him, Karua invited him verbally during which she briefed him about local politics.

Could it turn out these discussions also centered on how the Uganda opposition leader can help his Kenyan counterparts to end William Ruto’s leadership midway or make him a one-term President?

Well, it is worth noting that the story of seeking asylum was cooked after the alleged abduction of Besigye.

Back to the RSF, this story was speculative and informed by malice and rumor-mongering.

The presence of members of the leaders of RSF and affiliated groups was within the Kenya law.

Contrary to the impression created by the opposition leaders, President Ruto is a refined negotiator and mediator and hence his track record in resolving regional conflicts speaks volume.

Joseph Mutua Ndonga Is A Writer And Social Commentator