Kenya reaffirms non-military role in Sudan conflict, triggers truce

Kenya has reiterated its commitment to a diplomatic and humanitarian approach in the Sudanese conflict, distancing itself from any military or partisan involvement in the ongoing war.
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura firmly rejected claims circulating in some media quarters that suggested Kenya had taken sides or played a combative role in the Sudan crisis, calling them “untrue” and “misleading.”
In a comprehensive briefing, on Monday 16 June 2025, Mwaura emphasised that Kenya’s engagement is rooted in peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and humanitarian support — all under the auspices of international diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.
“So, this whole idea that Kenya is involved in anything other than peace is untrue. We are involved in peacekeeping and conflict resolution through the IGAD process, chaired and initiated by President William Ruto, to bring the two warring factions, SAF and RSF, together, so that the country can be secure. Only the Sudanese can find a solution to their conflict,” he asserted.
Mwaura’s remarks come at a critical juncture when geopolitical tensions in the Horn of Africa are intensifying, and narratives around foreign influence in Sudan’s civil war — now in its third year — have raised regional suspicions. Sudan, which has been gripped by violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed “Hemedti” Dagalo, is spiralling into deeper humanitarian crisis.
Kenya, which has long established its diplomatic credentials as a mediator in African conflicts, has doubled down on its non-interference doctrine, guided by African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) principles of sovereignty and peaceful resolution.
“As a country, we advocate for a peaceful resolution. We prioritise dialogue, negotiation, and mediation as tools for conflict resolution. Kenya supports a Sudanese-led peace process, considering it the only sustainable solution to the conflict,” Mwaura said.
This position, Kenyan officials argue, not only preserves regional stability but also affirms the country’s role as a neutral peace broker. According to Mwaura, Kenya’s commitment to Sudan’s peace process has been demonstrated through consistent engagement with international actors, including participation in the 2025 London-Sudan Conference, the 2024 Paris humanitarian pledging conference, and the 2025 AU summit in Addis Ababa.
Smoke billows behind buildings in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Sunday. Fighting has reportedly intensified after the latest ceasefire came to an end. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Kenya has pledged over approximately KSh260 million to support Sudan’s humanitarian relief efforts. Mwaura underscored that this financial commitment, though modest in scale compared to the vast needs on the ground, signals Kenya’s moral and diplomatic solidarity with the Sudanese people.
In addition to financial aid, Kenya has reaffirmed its logistical and technical assistance to humanitarian organisations, and continues to host thousands of Sudanese refugees, offering them safe passage and temporary shelter.
“Kenya remains committed to its diplomatic and humanitarian aid, affirming technical support, the hosting of refugees, and the provision of a safe space for dialogue, leveraging its historical peacebuilding role in the region,” he said.
He also spotlighted Kenya’s Ushirika Plan, which he described as a “global model” for refugee status management and integration.
“The Ushirika Plan is now being used as a model for refugee status across the world,” Mwaura said, promising more updates on how the policy will continue to shape the country’s humanitarian approach.
The Sudan war
The roots of the current Sudanese conflict, Mwaura noted, are entrenched in decades of political and economic mismanagement. He traced the crisis back to the 2019 popular uprising that led to the ousting of long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir, the fragile transitional council that followed, and the subsequent 2021 military coup which derailed civilian governance and forced Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to resign in 2022.
What followed, Mwaura explained, was a catastrophic descent into civil war between rival military factions.
“The root of the conflict in the Sudan crisis is largely from economic mismanagement and protests leading to the 2019 ouster of President Omar al-Bashir,” he explained.
“This was followed by a military-led transitional council under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Lieutenant General Mohamed Dagalo, otherwise known as Hemedti.”
He added that the transitional Sovereignty Council, formed to steer the country towards civilian rule, disintegrated following the 2021 coup. Since April 2023, the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces have been locked in a brutal struggle for control, with devastating consequences, particularly in Khartoum and Darfur.
The humanitarian toll, as Mwaura detailed, is staggering.
“Eight million Sudanese have been displaced, 18 million are food insecure and 11 million urgently need health assistance due to outbreaks of cholera, measles, and dengue fever,” he said.
Mwaura warned against politicising Kenya’s involvement or painting it with a brush of opportunism.
“Therefore, any further assertions to the contrary are simply attempts by some to cast aspersions. There have been several conflicts in the region, and Kenya has consistently distinguished itself as a beacon of peace and tranquillity when it comes to matters of diplomacy,” he said.
He added that Kenya’s diplomatic ethos is aligned with international norms: “Anyone trying to claim that Kenya is involved in other forms of activity should know that Kenya trades with its allies, partners, and neighbouring states—something that is both normal and important. As of now, Kenya is involved in finding a lasting solution through IGAD.”
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which Kenya currently chairs, has become a central platform for multilateral mediation in Sudan. Mwaura said Nairobi is open to hosting representatives from the SAF, RSF, and other stakeholders to facilitate inclusive and honest dialogue.
“We are non-aligned, we are non-partisan, and as I have said before, the solution to this conflict does not lie with any single external partner. External partners can only support the Sudanese people to find their own solution to the crisis,” he said.