- EDITOR’S BRIEF: The establishment of the SIFECSC and the offer to host the mediation process are positive steps towards resolving the conflict in Sudan. The Kenyan government must, however, prioritize the evacuation of its citizens stranded in Sudan and work with its counterparts in Sudan to ensure their safe return. The international community must also lend its support to the peace process and provide humanitarian assistance to the affected population.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has established a special inter-agency facilitation and emergency committee on Sudan (SIFECSC) to oversee the evacuation of international staff from the conflict-torn country. The move comes in response to actions by the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) and other international and regional organizations based in Nairobi that are eager to evacuate their staff. The primary objective of the committee is to bring together different stakeholders to coordinate the evacuation of international staff from Sudan.
The Ministry has set up a command center on the 15th floor of the 316 Upper Hill Chambers to ensure smooth coordination of the evacuation process. However, the statement did not mention any measures the government is taking to evacuate the nearly 3,000 Kenyans who are stranded in Sudan.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto has announced that Kenya is willing to host a process of mediation between the warring parties in Sudan, in keeping with the African Union’s (AU) commitment to ending the war. President Ruto has stated that this will be done in the spirit of brotherhood, peace, and solidarity, and as an acceptable neutral venue and a stakeholder aware of the challenges facing the region.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the violence that erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023, has killed over 400 people and injured 3,500 others across the country. The powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, and Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan are at the center of the vicious power struggle.
Several attempts at implementing ceasefires have failed since the outbreak of the violent power struggle last weekend. The situation is dire, and urgent action is required to bring peace to Sudan. The Kenyan government’s move to establish the SIFECSC and offer to host the mediation process is a step in the right direction.
The evacuation of international staff from Sudan is a critical first step in de-escalating the conflict. It will allow international organizations to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected population without fear of endangering their staff. The SIFECSC’s coordination role is crucial in ensuring that the evacuation process is carried out smoothly and efficiently.
However, the Kenyan government must also prioritize the evacuation of its citizens stranded in Sudan. They are at risk of harm and require urgent assistance to return home safely. The government should work with its counterparts in Sudan to ensure the safe evacuation of its citizens.
President Ruto’s offer to host the mediation process is a welcome move. Kenya has a long history of playing a peacemaking role in the region and has been instrumental in resolving conflicts in neighboring countries. Hosting the mediation process in Kenya will ensure that the talks are conducted in a neutral and peaceful environment, free from the distractions of the conflict.
