Sudan has suspended all imports from Kenya after Nairobi hosted the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been engaged in a two-year civil war against the Sudanese army.
The Sudanese military government announced the trade ban, citing the need to protect national security and preserve sovereignty. The suspension applies to all Kenyan goods, including tea exports, food products, and pharmaceuticals, and affects all ports, border crossings, and airports. Sudan’s Ministry of Trade issued a directive for authorities to enforce the ban immediately.
The move follows a meeting in Kenya last month, where the RSF and allied political groups signed a founding charter expressing intentions to form a parallel government in Sudan. In response, Sudan recalled its ambassador from Kenya and accused Nairobi of supporting an alternative administration.
Sudan’s government labeled Kenya’s facilitation of the RSF meetings as an act of hostility. However, Kenya defended its role, stating that hosting the discussions was part of diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution to Sudan’s conflict. Kenyan President William Ruto has faced domestic criticism over his perceived ties with the RSF.
The trade suspension is expected to impact Kenya-Sudan economic relations, as Kenya has been a key supplier of agricultural exports and manufactured goods to Sudan. Tea exports to Sudan, which are among Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners, along with coffee, tobacco, soaps, electrical equipment, and pharmaceuticals, will be affected. The East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) reported that shipments already en route are now stranded at sea, while large tea stockpiles remain at Mombasa port.
Sudan is one of Kenya’s largest tea markets, and economists warn that the import ban could disrupt foreign exchange earnings and impact Kenyan farmers and businesses. RSF advisor El Basha Tebeig stated on social media that the group would facilitate Kenyan trade in RSF-controlled territories. However, Port Sudan, the country’s main trade gateway, remains under Sudanese army control, making such assurances uncertain.
The civil war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has caused widespread destruction, killing thousands and displacing over 12 million people, according to the United Nations. The ongoing Sudan conflict has severely disrupted supply chains and trade routes, affecting commerce between Sudan and neighboring countries, including Kenya.
The Kenyan government has yet to respond to the trade restrictions, but Agriculture Minister Mutahi Kagwe recently stated that diplomatic efforts are underway to address market access challenges in Sudan.
