\n<\/p>\n
Sudan has suspended all imports from Kenya in protest after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are fighting the army in a two-year civil war, were hosted in Nairobi.<\/p>\n
Last month, the RSF and its allied political and armed groups signed a founding charter in Kenya expressing the intention to form a parallel government in Sudan.<\/p>\n
Sudan’s military government said the import ban was to preserve the country’s sovereignty and “protect its national security”.<\/p>\n
The war-torn country imports several products from Kenya including tea, food items and pharmaceutical products.<\/p>\n
“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,” a decree issued by Sudan’s ministry of trade stated.<\/p>\n
It ordered “all relevant authorities to enforce the ban immediately”.<\/p>\n
Tensions between Kenya and Sudan have been escalating for several months.<\/p>\n
Kenyan President William Ruto has faced widespread criticism at home for his perceived close ties with the RSF.<\/p>\n
Last month, Sudan recalled its ambassador to Kenya in protest against Nairobi’s involvement in a “conspiracy to establish a government” for the RSF.<\/p>\n
Sudan called Kenya’s hosting of RSF meetings “tantamount to an act of hostility”.<\/p>\n
But Kenya defended its role, stating that hosting the meetings was part of efforts to find solutions to end the war in Sudan “without any ulterior motives”.<\/p>\n
Both countries have traditionally enjoyed strong trade relations, with Kenya being an important partner for Sudan, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing.<\/p>\n
Kenya exports a range of goods to Sudan, with tea being its most significant export, followed by coffee, tobacco, and other products such as soaps, electrical equipment, and pharmaceuticals.<\/p>\n
Tea is one of Kenya’s most significant foreign exchange earners, and this move is expected to disrupt both trade flows and the broader economy.<\/p>\n
“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,” economist Ken Gichinga told the BBC.<\/p>\n
Sudan is one of the top five destinations for Kenyan tea and producers are worried about the effects of the ban.<\/p>\n
The East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) expressed concerns over ongoing contracts and shipments stuck in transit.<\/p>\n
“Teas are currently at Port Sudan, and several containers already dispatched are now stranded in the high seas,” it said.<\/p>\n
Large stocks in Kenya’s port city of Mombasa also cannot be shipped out.<\/p>\n
“This will result in unfathomable losses incurred by buyers and will trickle down to producers and farmers,” the association warned.<\/p>\n
RSF advisor El Basha Tebeig sought to reassure Kenya, stating on X that the group would “guarantee the smooth passage of Kenyan goods into Sudan” in those areas it controls.<\/p>\n
But Port Sudan is in the hands of the army and has become the seat of the military government because of the fighting in Khartoum.<\/p>\n
The Kenyan government is yet to comment but Agriculture Minister Mutahi Kagwe recently said his country was exploring diplomatic avenues to address the market access challenges in Sudan.<\/p>\n
Kenya’s tea exports to Sudan have already been affected by the conflict there.<\/p>\n
A recent report showed a 12% reduction in Kenyan tea exports to Sudan over the past year.<\/p>\n
The war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has caused widespread destruction, disrupting supply chains and limiting the ability of businesses to operate normally.<\/p>\n
Ports and border crossings, vital for trade, have been either damaged or obstructed by the violence, significantly reducing the flow of goods between Sudan and its neighbours, including Kenya.<\/p>\n
The conflict has devastated large parts of Sudan – including the capital Khartoum – with thousands of people killed and more than 12 million displaced, according to the United Nations.<\/p>\n