Kenya calls for unified, Africa-led mediation in Sudan

Kenya has called for a unified and coordinated mediation response from regional and international stakeholders in the Sudan conflict.

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs in a statement said the response from Igad, the African Union, the United Nations, the Arab League and the broader international community should be reconciled and African-led.

“Most significantly, Kenya underscores the need to harmonise the various peace tracks into an African-led process, firmly supported by the international community,” MFA said.

The statement was a reaction to a joint communiqué by the Quad, comprising Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the US, on their consultations aimed at restoring peace and security in Sudan.

“The Quad meeting is a positive initiative that should be embraced by all parties to the conflict in Sudan. The unprecedented crisis in Sudan calls for concerted and collective efforts, at the national, regional and global levels, that can contribute to a peaceful resolution,” the statement said.

The Quad, at the invitation of the US, on September 12, met and resolved to employ negotiations to quell  the conflict.

It, however, noted that ministers expressed support for efforts by Saudi Arabia and the US through the Jeddah process to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Sudan. 

It also backed efforts by Egypt with regards to the Sudanese civil and political forces forum which held its first round in Cairo in July 2024.

In a joint statement, the AU and Igad on Monday said the Quad position fully aligns with their roadmaps for peace in Sudan.

“Therefore, the African Union and Igad reaffirm their readiness to work in partnership with the Quad, with the Sudanese people and with all partners to end the war, protect the sovereignty and unity of Sudan and advance an inclusive, civilian-led political transition.

“In this regard, the AU and Igad, together with the League of Arab States, the UN and the EU will be convening this October, a new reinvigorated round of consultations with Sudanese civilian groups to promote unity among Sudanese and prepare the ground for an inclusive Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue and political transition to civilian-led constitutional order,” it added.

Kenya’s call also echoes the positions held by Igad and the AU.

In February, a high-level panel discussion on the theme ‘Sudan’s costly war: Towards a peaceful resolution: The role of AU organs, RECs and RMs to improve coordinated intervention?’ pushed for coordinated efforts by the various actors involved in peace processes. 

These include the AU organs and institutions, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms. 

The political meeting was preceded by the Statutory Technical AGA-APSA Platform meeting held on February 10, that focused on enhancing joint planning, synergies and coordination.

On the backdrop of accusations of harbouring Rapid Support Forces that have established a parallel government in Sudan, Kenya said it joins the Quad in urging all parties to the conflict, as well as external actors, to respect and uphold Sudan's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

“Kenya firmly rejects any attempts to balkanise or split sovereign states and reiterates its solid support for a unified Sudan for the benefit of its people,” it said.

Nairobi also reiterated its call for an end to external military support as a critical step toward resolving the conflict.

US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Senator Jim Risch has warned that Sudan’s war threatens American interests by choking trade routes, spreading terror havens, empowering adversaries and pushing the region toward collapse.

“I’m glad the Quad can agree that all external military support must end in order to stop this war. Now it is up to these countries, especially the UAE, to do so,” Risch said.

The UAE is among external players accused of taking sides and arming RSF in the conflict.

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, in its latest report on September 5, said rival forces—SAF and RSF—are deliberately targeting the civilian population, committing atrocities including war crimes on a large scale.

The report to the UN Human Rights Council, ‘A war of atrocities’, found both parties to the conflict were responsible not only for direct and large-scale attacks against civilians, but also for the extensive destruction of essential infrastructure for survival, including medical centres, markets, food and water systems and displacement camps.