Sudan suspends imports from Kenya

Sudan has suspended all imports from Kenya in protest after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is fighting the army in a two-year civil war, were hosted in Nairobi, reports BBC News. 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’. 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. ‘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. RSF adviser 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. 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.

Full BBC News report