Blow to Ruto as Saudi Arabia, Qatar fault RSF charter signed in Kenya
RSF charter signed in Kenya, has sparked mixed reactions with the latest criticism coming from Kenya's key Middle Eastern trading partners; Qatar and Saudi Arabia
RSF charter signed in Kenya, has sparked mixed reactions with the latest criticism coming from Kenya’s key Middle Eastern trading partners; Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Kenya’s diplomatic stance was once again under scrutiny following its decision to support the recent signing of a charter to establish a parallel government in Sudan by the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The charter, which was signed in Kenya, has sparked mixed reactions with the latest criticism coming from Kenya’s key Middle Eastern trading partners; Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
In separate press statements issued over the weekend, both nations distanced themselves from the formation of a parallel government and strongly condemned the initiative. Their statements have raised concerns about the potential impact on diplomatic and trade relations with Nairobi, where the charter was signed.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in their statement, called for a rejection of any ”illegitimate steps” taken outside the Republic of Sudan to establish a parallel government.
”The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s rejection of any illegitimate steps or measures taken outside the framework of the Republic of Sudan’s official institutions that may affect its unity and do not reflect the will of its people, including the call to form a parallel government. The Kingdom reaffirms its firm stance in supporting the Republic of Sudan’s security, stability, and territorial integrity,” Saudi Arabia said in a statement.
Saudi Arabia challenged the parties involved in the conflict to revert to the Jeddah Declaration signed in May 2023 to avert the divisions in the nation.
”The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls on all Sudanese parties to prioritize the interests of Sudan over any factional interests and to work towards preventing division and chaos. The Kingdom also reiterates its commitment to continuing all efforts to end the war in Sudan and achieve peace in line with the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023.”
On the other hand, the state of Qatar also condemned the interference in Sudan’s internal affairs and called on all parties to prioritise the national interest and prevent the country from risk of division.
”The State of Qatar expresses its full support for the unity, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the sisterly Republic of Sudan. It rejects any form of interference in Sudan’s internal affairs and calls on all parties to prioritize the supreme national interest and to prevent the country from the risk of division,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar shared.
”The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar reaffirms Qatar’s call for an inclusive dialogue that leads to lasting peace, preserves the unity of Sudan, and fulfills the aspirations of its people for
security, stability, and development,” it added.
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Their statement comes a week after the RSF signed a charter in Nairobi, paving the way for the paramilitary to govern rebel-held areas advocating for a secular state and a unified national army.
According to the text of the charter, the signatories agreed that Sudan should be a “secular, democratic, non-centralised state” with a unified national army, though it also upheld the right of armed groups to continue existing.
However, it was not immediately clear whether the positions of the two countries were likely to impact the trade and diplomatic relations between them and Kenya. In 2023, Kenya’s exports to Qatar amounted to Ksh2.25 billion($17.47 million), with key exports including cut flowers, tropical fruits, and bran, according to data from the United Nations COMTRADE.
On the other hand, Kenya’s imports from Saudi Arabia have shown substantial figures; for example, in November 2024, imports were reported at Ksh12,730.42 million (approximately $114 million), up from Ksh8,062.84 million (approximately $72 million) in October 2024.
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