Kenya has announced the closure of its diplomatic mission in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, citing reports of armed groups targeting diplomatic officials. Korir Sing’oei, the Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, made the announcement on Sunday, stating that Kenya had been actively involved in evacuating stranded Kenyans from the war-torn country.
Sing’oei expressed concern over the disturbing news of armed groups specifically targeting diplomatic officials in Khartoum. As a result, Kenya’s mission in Khartoum, which had remained open to facilitate the evacuation of Kenyans, is now closed.
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Sudan, Kenya had already rescued approximately 900 people by the beginning of May, as the fighting between Sudan’s generals escalated. The conflict erupted on April 15 when clashes broke out between warring factions of the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sudan’s prolonged conflict has plunged the nation into a dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations reports that over 1,800 people have been killed, and at least 1.6 million individuals have been displaced within the country or sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan. The situation remains highly volatile and continues to escalate, resulting in widespread suffering and displacement among the Sudanese population.
