The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemetti), plan a press conference in Nairobi on Monday, intensifying scrutiny over Kenya’s controversial ties with the paramilitary group. This follows Hemetti’s last visit to Kenya, during which Sudan recalled its ambassador in protest of Nairobi’s alleged support for the RSF.
Kenya has faced growing criticism for its perceived role in regional conflicts. Observers accuse the country of being “on the wrong side of history,” citing its alleged support for apartheid in South Africa, complicity in genocide in Sudan through backing the RSF, and links to atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kenyan President William Ruto has come under fire for hosting figures accused of genocide, including Abdulrahim Dagalo, Hemetti’s brother and the RSF deputy commander, who accompanied Ruto to Juba in November 2024. This visit has fueled accusations of Kenya’s indirect involvement in the RSF’s activities, which have been widely condemned for human rights abuses in Sudan.
The RSF, engaged in a brutal conflict with Sudanese military forces since April 2023, stands accused of war crimes, including genocide targeting non-Arab communities in Darfur. Washington recently imposed sanctions on Hemetti and Abdulrahim Dagalo, further isolating the paramilitary group on the global stage.
Kenya’s role as a host for the RSF leader has amplified diplomatic tensions, with critics pointing to the country’s history of controversial alliances. The upcoming press conference is expected to address these accusations, but it also risks deepening Nairobi’s diplomatic isolation amid calls for accountability.