A Sudanese court has sentenced RSF leader Hemedti and 15 others to death in absentia for war crimes, as scrutiny grows over his past engagements with Kenya and President Ruto.
Sudan Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, popularly known as Hemedti, has been sentenced to death in absentia over the killing of a former regional governor and other war crimes committed in Sudan.
Details of the Ruling
A Sudanese anti-terrorism court sitting in Port Sudan sentenced Hemedti and 15 others for the crimes, including Hemedti's brother and RSF deputy leader Abdel Rahim Hamdan Dagalo. The sentence, delivered on Sunday, July 12, is the first court verdict targeting the RSF leader since war broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group in April 2023.
The court convicted the defendants on charges including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and crimes against persons and property. The killing at the centre of the case is that of former West Darfur Governor Khamis Abdullah Abkar, who was killed in June 2023 shortly after being detained by RSF fighters during the outbreak of fighting in El Geneina.
According to the ruling, Hemedti was found responsible for planning and carrying out the crimes, while his deputy was convicted for allegedly planning and participating in the offences.
The sentence comes amid continued controversy over Hemedti's relationship with Kenya and President William Ruto, following a series of engagements that drew criticism from Sudan's military-led government.
In January 2024, President Ruto hosted Hemedti at State House, Nairobi, describing the meeting as part of Kenya's efforts to advance peace negotiations under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
However, the meeting sparked diplomatic tensions, with Sudan's army-backed government accusing Kenya of legitimising the RSF and questioning Nairobi's neutrality in the conflict. Khartoum later recalled its ambassador from Kenya in protest.
The controversy deepened in February 2025 after RSF-linked figures convened in Nairobi to announce plans for a parallel administration in Sudan. The move prompted fresh condemnation from Khartoum, which accused Kenya of interfering in its internal affairs.
Reports also indicate that RSF leaders were granted Kenyan passports to facilitate their movement, despite being sanctioned by international bodies like the United Nations. Kenya has also faced accusations of supporting the RSF by supplying it with weapons and offering asylum to its leaders.
Kenya's Response
Kenya has consistently denied supporting the RSF, maintaining that its engagement with all parties is aimed at facilitating dialogue and securing a peaceful resolution to the conflict. President Ruto has defended the government's role, insisting that Nairobi remains committed to regional peace efforts and has not taken sides in the Sudanese war.