Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Supply has suspended all imports from Kenya, escalating tensions between the two nations over Nairobi’s engagement with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
- The move follows a meeting in Kenya on 23rd February where RSF representatives convened with allied groups, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, factions of the Revolutionary Front, and the National Umma Party.
- The parties signed a political charter and a transitional constitution, a step seen as laying the groundwork for an alternative governing authority in RSF-controlled areas.
- The Sudanese government responded swiftly by recalling its ambassador from Nairobi before announcing the trade restrictions, citing Kenya’s role in facilitating the RSF talks.
“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,” the notice said.
Kenya and Sudan have been key trade partners-with Khartoum becoming the seventh largest importer of Kenyan tea. According to the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), Sudan imported over 1.6 million kilos of tea in October last year up from 1.3 million in October 2023. The ramped up tea exports to Sudan enabled the country to salvage diminished exports of the beverage to other key markets like Yemen, Iran, and Russia.
According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Kenyan exports to Sudan in 2023 hit US$48.2 million, with tea accounting for US$29.6 million, processed tobacco US$3.66 million, and seed oils US$1.84 million.
However, trade between the two countries has been declining, with Kenyan exports to Sudan falling at an annualized rate of 7.07% over the past five years.
Nairobi has been an epicenter for RSF operations, allowing its members to convene meetings disparaging the sovereignty of Khartoum’s regime.
The Sudan conflict has had other ramifications for Kenya-based companies, such as the closure of a BAT plant in Khartoum, and declining revenues for banks in South Sudan as the conflict has disrupted oil flow.
Kenyan officials are yet to respond to these developments.
