US senator criticises Kenya over Sudan peace efforts

US Senator Jim Risch. [AP]

US Senator Jim Risch has accused Kenya of aiding Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in legitimising its rule under the guise of peace talks, escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Nairobi.

Risch, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he led efforts in Congress to recognise RSF-led atrocities in Sudan as genocide, a policy the US adopted in January. "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," said Risch.