Sudan has halted all imports from Kenya as a form of protest after the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), engaged in a two-year civil war against the Sudanese military, were hosted in Nairobi.
Last month, the RSF, along with its political and armed allies, signed a foundational charter in Kenya, outlining plans to establish a rival government in Sudan.
Sudan’s military administration stated that the import ban was enacted to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and “secure its national security.”
The conflict-ravaged country imports various goods from Kenya, such as tea, food, and pharmaceuticals.
A decree issued by Sudan’s Ministry of Trade declared, “The import of all goods from Kenya through all ports, crossings, airports, and borders will be suspended as of today, effective until further notice.”
The decree instructed “all pertinent authorities to immediately enforce the suspension.” Tensions between Kenya and Sudan have been mounting for months.
Kenyan President William Ruto has come under heavy criticism domestically for his perceived alignment with the RSF.
In protest of Kenya’s involvement in what Sudan described as a “conspiracy to form a government” for the RSF, Sudan recalled its ambassador from Nairobi last month.
Sudan labeled Kenya’s hosting of RSF meetings as “an act of aggression.”
However, Kenya defended its role, asserting that facilitating the meetings was part of efforts to seek solutions for ending the war in Sudan, “without any hidden agendas.”
Historically, Kenya and Sudan have maintained strong trade ties, with Kenya being a key trading partner for Sudan, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing.
Kenya exports a variety of goods to Sudan, with tea being the leading export, followed by coffee, tobacco, soaps, electrical equipment, and pharmaceuticals.
Tea is one of Kenya’s major foreign exchange earners, and this ban is expected to disrupt trade flows and harm the broader economy.
Economist Ken Gichinga told the BBC, “This ban will have a significant impact, leading to a reduction in foreign exchange and increased exposure to financial difficulties. It will create a ripple effect beyond just trade.”
The ban comes at a time when Kenya’s tea exports to Sudan were already facing challenges due to the ongoing conflict.
A recent report revealed a 12% decrease in Kenyan tea exports to Sudan over the last year.
The Sudanese war, which began in April 2023, has caused widespread devastation, disrupting supply chains and hindering business operations.
Vital trade routes, including ports and border crossings, have been either damaged or blocked by the violence, leading to a significant decline in trade between Sudan and neighboring countries, including Kenya.
The conflict has ravaged much of Sudan, including the capital, Khartoum, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacing more than 12 million people, according to the United Nations.
The Kenyan government has yet to issue a statement regarding the import ban, although Agriculture Minister Mutahi Kagwe recently mentioned that Kenya was exploring diplomatic channels to address the market access challenges in Sudan.
