The Sudanese Ministry of Trade and Supply announced on Thursday that all Kenyan imports would be halted immediately. The decision comes after Kenya hosted talks on February 23 between the RSF and various allied groups, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, factions of the Revolutionary Front, the National Umma Party, and other political entities. These meetings resulted in the signing of a political charter and a transitional constitution, aiming to establish a separate authority in RSF-controlled regions—a move that has faced strong criticism both domestically and internationally.
Following these developments, Sudan escalated diplomatic actions against Kenya. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry first recalled its ambassador from Nairobi before implementing the trade ban. A decree signed by Trade Minister Omar Ahmed Mohamed confirmed the immediate suspension of all Kenyan imports through Sudanese ports, crossings, airports, and other entry points. The decision, rooted in Cabinet Decisions No. 129 of 2024 and No. 104 of 2021, was recommended by a government committee addressing Kenya’s involvement with the RSF. The decree cited Sudan’s national security interests and sovereignty as primary reasons for the move.
Kenya is a significant trade partner for Sudan, particularly in the tea industry. Sudan ranks as the tenth-largest importer of Kenyan tea globally and the second-largest in Africa. According to trade data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), Kenya exported $48.2 million worth of goods to Sudan in 2023, with tea accounting for $29.6 million, followed by processed tobacco ($3.66 million) and seed oils ($1.84 million). Over the past five years, Kenyan exports to Sudan have steadily declined, dropping from $69.5 million in 2018 to $48.2 million in 2023—a decrease of 7.07% annually.
The trade suspension marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations, as Sudan continues to oppose Kenya’s role in facilitating talks with the RSF and its affiliates.