Pariah state? Diplomatic missteps and their effects

Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (C), known as Hemeti, deputy head of Sudan's ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, waves a baton to supporters as he arrives for a rally in the village of Abraq, about 60 kilometers northwest of Khartoum, on June 22, 2019. [AFP] Kenya's dalliance with Sudanese militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is now reverberating across the West, threatening to transform the country into a pariah State. The United States, a key ally of Kenya, on Saturday reprimanded President William Ruto's administration over what it termed as an attempt to legitimise RSF's "genocidal rule" in Sudan. US Senate Foreign Relations chairman Jim Risch hit out at the Kenya Kwanza administration over its diplomatic gaffe with Sudan. "Last year, I led efforts in Congress to recognise RSF-led atrocities in Sudan, which have contributed to over 150,000 deaths, as genocide. In January, it became US policy. Now, Kenya, a US ally, is helping the RSF legitimise their genocidal rule in Sudan under the guise of peacemaking. This is an unthinkable attempt to obscure the truth and will not end the massacre," Risch wrote on his X account yesterday. But President William Ruto defended his administration's actions against claims of meddling in Sudan's affairs, noting that Kenya remained a facilitator of peace in the war-torn country. The US was not ready to let Kenya, a key strategic partner and a non-Nato ally, off the hook so easily. The US secretary of State Marco Rubio called Nairobi over the Sudan debacle. President Ruto confirmed the call in a post on his X handle. The issue of continental peace and the the crucial role of the East Africa Community (EAC)-South African Development Community (SADC) joint-led process in de-escalating tensions and advancing peace efforts, Ruto said, had featured prominently in the talks. "This includes the appointment of facilitators, the implementation of the ceasefire, and the broader political process towards a lasting resolution....Additionally, we discussed the situation in the Republic of the Sudan and Kenya's crucial role in providing a platform for key stakeholders," the Head of State said. The development comes at the height of a diplomatic row between Kenya and Sudan over the former's decision to allow opposition forces gather at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi to form a parallel government for Khartoum. The move has not only elicited criticism from within and without the African continent, but has seen Sudan vow to take action against Kenya. Sudan's Foreign Ministry sent a letter blasting Kenya's stance. Khartoum was adamant that the occurrence contradicted Kenya's commitments at the highest level not to allow hostile activities against Sudan on its territory and constituted a declaration of hostility against the Sudanese people. "Given that the stated objective of this agreement is to establish a parallel government on part of Sudanese territory, this move promotes the dismembering of African states, violates their sovereignty, and interferes in their internal affairs. This is, therefore, a clear breach of the UN Charter, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and the established principles of the contemporary international order," Sudan said in the statement. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi would however come to Kenya's defense explaining that its actions were in line with its broader role in peace negotiations. The war of words between the two states saw scheduled press briefing by the RSF in Kenya postponed and ultimately scrapped off. The group, led by its deputy leader, had to change venues at least three times before finally abandoning its resolve. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei was also forced to apologize on Friday after posting an AI-generated video which showed CNN political commentator Fareed Zakaria commenting on the country's decision to allow the Rapid Support Forces of Sudan and its allies to hold a ceremony that would have led to the forming of a parallel government. Away from Sudan, pundits argue that Kenya has long been walking the diplomatic tightrope with recent developments in DRC exposing its deteriorating relationships with partner states largely because of how its leadership has conducted itself when dealing with partners on sensitive foreign policy. Constitutional lawyer Ekuru Aukot notes that after Kenya's AUC loss, there is need for serious retrospection as a country about its diplomatic and foreign policy. "This is an important issue because we now want to pretend that we care about what is happening out there but there are bigger problems in our country," Aukot argued. Kalonzo Musyoka warns that President Ruto is making Kenya a pariah state, a development that will cost the country its status as a bastion of peace and regional stability. Kalonzo, a former special envoy to South Sudan and a diplomat in various neighbouring countries including Somalia, Rwanda, Uganda among others, observes that President Ruto's "ignorance on foreign policy" had made Kenya lose its charisma of facilitating peace and harmony in the region "It is possible that diamond from Sudan is given under the rules of origin to be seen as Kenya's diamond to be taken to the Arab world. It is terrible. This is illegal under international law. It is blood money we are dealing with and the regime has completely lost it," Kalonzo said. According to the former Vice President, Ruto's actions amounted to a direct interference to the sovereignty of other countries, a move he observed put Kenya in the firing line "because we don't know what the side would want to do". Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni termed it "unfortunate" as it draws back on the gains of the once respected country as far as diplomacy is concerned. Democratic Action Party of Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa noted that President Ruto as a diplomatic disaster.

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