Sudan has imposed an indefinite ban on all imports from Kenya in retaliation for Nairobi’s recent hosting of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are engaged in a civil war against Sudan's military government.
The decision follows last month’s meeting in Kenya, where the RSF and its allied political and armed groups signed a charter signaling their intention to form a parallel government in Sudan.
Sudan's military leadership justified the import suspension as a measure to safeguard its sovereignty and “protect its national security.”
A decree issued by Sudan’s Ministry of Trade declared, “The import of all products coming from Kenya through all ports, crossings, airports, and ports will be suspended as of this day until further notice.” It further instructed “all relevant authorities to enforce the ban immediately.”
Trade Disruptions and Economic Impact
Kenya has traditionally been a key trading partner for Sudan, exporting goods such as tea, coffee, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and electrical equipment. Tea, in particular, is a crucial foreign exchange earner for Kenya, and Sudan ranks among its top five buyers.
The East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) has raised concerns about shipments already in transit. “Teas are currently at Port Sudan, and several containers already dispatched are now stranded in the high seas,” the association stated. Large stocks in Mombasa are also unable to be shipped out, with EATTA warning that the ban will lead to “unfathomable losses incurred by buyers and will trickle down to producers and farmers.”
Economist Ken Gichinga told the BBC that the move will significantly impact Kenya’s economy. “This ban will be a big blow, and foreign exchange will take a hit. It would mean less foreign exchange and greater exposure to financial services. It has a ripple effect that extends beyond just trade,” he said.
Political Tensions Escalate
Relations between Kenya and Sudan have been deteriorating in recent months. Last month, Sudan recalled its ambassador from Nairobi, accusing Kenya of being part of a “conspiracy to establish a government” for the RSF. The military government labeled Kenya’s actions as “tantamount to an act of hostility.”
However, Kenya has defended its role, stating that its engagement with the RSF was intended to help resolve Sudan’s conflict “without any ulterior motives.”
The Kenyan government has not yet formally responded to Sudan’s trade suspension. However, Agriculture Minister Mutahi Kagwe recently stated that Kenya is pursuing diplomatic solutions to “address the market access challenges in Sudan.”
War and Trade Disruptions
The ongoing war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has wreaked havoc on the country’s economy and infrastructure. Ports and border crossings crucial for trade have been severely impacted by the fighting, disrupting supply chains and limiting business operations.
While RSF advisor El Basha Tebeig assured that the group would “guarantee the smooth passage of Kenyan goods into Sudan” in RSF-controlled areas, Sudan’s main trade hub, Port Sudan, remains under military government control, making trade difficult.
The United Nations estimates that the conflict has displaced over 12 million people and caused thousands of deaths, with Khartoum and other key regions facing widespread devastation.
Kenya’s tea industry had already felt the strain of Sudan’s instability, with a recent report indicating a 12% decline in tea exports to Sudan over the past year. This latest development threatens to further disrupt the trade ties between the two nations.