Kenya has sent Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi to attend the London-Sudan Conference on Monday, despite formal objections from Sudan’s military rulers in Port Sudan.
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have rejected the UK-hosted event, citing the lack of official representation from Khartoum and accusing organizers of sidelining Sudan’s legitimate leadership.
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Mudavadi is in London to represent Kenya at the international gathering aimed at revitalizing peace efforts in war-torn Sudan.
“This conference seeks to bolster peace in the volatile Sudan,” the statement read, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to engaging all Sudanese factions, including the SAF and the sanctioned Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Nairobi’s Neutral Stance Sparks Tensions with Khartoum
Kenya’s participation comes amid strained diplomatic ties with Sudan’s junta. In February 2025, Khartoum lodged formal complaints after Nairobi hosted the RSF-backed “Transitional Charter” signing, a move viewed as favoring one faction over another.
Despite the controversy, Kenya has maintained an “open-door” policy and continues to advocate for an inclusive, Sudanese-owned political process supported—but not dominated—by external actors.
Mudavadi to Advocate for African-Led Mediation
While in London, Mudavadi is expected to:
- Reiterate Kenya’s support for a unified and peaceful Sudan
- Reject military solutions to the conflict
- Call for renewed dialogue under African-led mediation frameworks
“Kenya encourages all parties to work through African institutions such as IGAD, the African Union, the East African Community (EAC), and SADC,” the statement added, emphasizing the need to avoid ‘forum shopping’ by stakeholders seeking biased platforms.
Background: A Fragile Diplomatic Balancing Act
Sudan has been gripped by civil war since April 2023, when a power struggle between the SAF and RSF escalated into full-scale conflict. Kenya has sought to position itself as a neutral broker, but its diplomatic balancing act continues to draw criticism from both sides.
As the conflict drags on, the London-Sudan Conference is seen as a key moment to rebuild international consensus, though the absence of Sudan’s military government casts a shadow over the summit’s inclusivity and effectiveness.
