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.
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.
Sudan’s military government said the import ban was to preserve the country’s sovereignty and “protect its national security”.
The war-torn country imports several products from Kenya including tea, food items and pharmaceutical products.
“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.
It ordered “all relevant authorities to enforce the ban immediately”.
Tensions between Kenya and Sudan have been escalating for several months.
Kenyan President William Ruto has faced widespread criticism at home for his perceived close ties with the RSF.
Last month, Sudan recalled its ambassador to Kenya in protest against Nairobi’s involvement in a “conspiracy to establish a government” for the RSF.
Sudan called Kenya’s hosting of RSF meetings “tantamount to an act of hostility”.
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”.
Both countries have traditionally enjoyed strong trade relations, with Kenya being an important partner for Sudan, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing.
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.