Kenya has issued a firm call for the international community to consolidate fragmented peace efforts in Sudan into a single, unified process. Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized that the cycle of “forum shopping”—where parties seek the most favorable mediation terms across different venues—must end to achieve a credible and lasting ceasefire.
The statement follows a high-level meeting in Nairobi between CS Mudavadi and Pekka Haavisto, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan. The discussions centered on the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the urgent need for a representative transition back to civilian rule.
Key Pillars of Kenya’s Peace Proposal
- Broadened Inclusivity: Kenya is pushing for a transition from purely military-to-military talks to a broader civilian-led dialogue. Mudavadi urged the inclusion of women, youth, community elders, religious leaders, and civil society organizations.
- Rejection of Military Solutions: The CS reiterated Kenya’s long-standing position that the conflict cannot be won on the battlefield. “As long as the parties remain locked in a contest of force, lasting peace will remain out of reach,” he warned.
- Arms Flow Moratorium: Serious concerns were raised regarding the continued influx of illegal arms into Sudan, which Kenya warns is fueling instability that could spill across regional borders, including into the wider East African and Horn of Africa regions.
- Humanitarian Imperative: With millions of lives at risk, particularly women and children, Kenya underscored that dialogue is no longer a political option but a “mechanical necessity” to save the Sudanese population from famine and total state collapse.
The Regional Context
Kenya’s renewed diplomatic push comes as the 2026 regional security landscape remains volatile. As a key member of the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) quartet on Sudan, Nairobi has been working to synchronize the various peace initiatives—including the Jeddah process and the African Union’s Roadmap—into a cohesive framework.
“Dialogue must prevail, and all sides must commit to negotiations to safeguard the lives of millions,” CS Mudavadi noted during the briefing.
Haavisto’s visit to Nairobi is seen as part of a broader UN strategy to leverage Kenya’s diplomatic influence to break the current stalemate between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to providing a neutral platform for all stakeholders to meet and draft a sustainable peace architecture for the region.
