Sudan suspends imports from Kenya over RSF hosting in Nairobi

Sudan has suspended all imports from Kenya in protest after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were hosted in Nairobi, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations amid Sudan’s ongoing civil war.

The decision comes after the RSF, along with allied political and armed groups, signed a founding charter in Kenya last month, signaling their intention to form a parallel government in Sudan. The Sudanese military government, which has been engaged in a brutal two-year conflict with the RSF, condemned Kenya’s actions, calling them a threat to Sudan’s sovereignty and national security.

“The import ban is a necessary measure to protect our national security and sovereignty,” Sudan’s trade ministry said in a statement.

“We cannot allow foreign interference that undermines our stability.”

Sudan relies on imports from Kenya for essential goods, including tea, food items, and pharmaceutical products. The suspension is expected to have economic repercussions for both countries, with Kenya’s tea industry particularly vulnerable, as Sudan has been a major export market.

In response, the Kenyan government has downplayed the impact of the ban and urged Sudan to seek a diplomatic resolution. “Kenya remains committed to supporting peace efforts in Sudan and calls on all parties to engage in constructive dialogue,” a Kenyan foreign ministry spokesperson stated.

Regional analysts warn that the move could deepen divisions in East Africa, where multiple countries have taken varying stances on Sudan’s civil war. Kenya has played a mediating role in peace talks, but Sudan’s military rulers have accused it of siding with the RSF by allowing them to hold political discussions on Kenyan soil.

The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has been fighting Sudan’s military government since April 2023 in a conflict that has devastated the country, displacing millions and leading to widespread humanitarian crises. The group’s move to establish a parallel government further complicates efforts to end the war.

With Sudan’s import ban now in place, businesses and consumers on both sides are bracing for disruptions. Economists warn that the decision could drive up prices of key commodities in Sudan while impacting Kenya’s export revenues.

The diplomatic fallout underscores the fragile nature of regional stability, with both Sudan and Kenya expected to face pressure from neighboring states and international actors to de-escalate tensions. However, with no immediate resolution in sight, the economic and political consequences of Sudan’s trade suspension are likely to persist.