Sudan Suspends All Imports from Kenya Over RSF Support

Sudan’s Ministry of Trade & Supply has imposed an immediate ban on all imports from Kenya, citing national security concerns over Kenya’s alleged support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group accused of attempting to establish an illegal parallel government.

The announcement made through a circular seen by Kenya Insights from Sudan’s trade ministry ordered an immediate implementation.

“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,” the directive signed by acting Trade Minister Omar Ahmed Mohamed reads.

The decision follows a controversial meeting hosted in Nairobi on February 18, 2025, where the RSF and its allies signed a political charter to form a rival government, a move Sudan views as a direct threat to its sovereignty.

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Hussein al-Amin labeled Kenya a “rogue state” and accused it of undermining Sudan’s stability amid its ongoing civil war, which has pitted the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the RSF since April 2023.

“We will not tolerate external interference that seeks to impose an unlawful political reality,” al-Amin said in a statement. “This economic measure sends a clear message to Kenya and others who support destabilizing forces.” He forewarned.

International Condemnation

The international community swiftly condemned Kenya’s actions. The United Nations Security Council has expressed concern over threats to Sudan’s unity, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on February 24 that the RSF’s charter risks deepening the crisis and destabilizing the region.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Somalia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the African Union also issued statements supporting Sudan’s territorial integrity and denouncing attempts to legitimize militia-controlled governance.

“Such escalations pose a serious threat to peace efforts,” Guterres’ spokesperson said, echoing broader fears of renewed conflict in the Horn of Africa.

Kenya’s Internal Backlash

In Kenya, President William Ruto’s administration has faced mounting criticism for hosting the RSF. Opposition leaders, civil society groups, and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) have called the move “disgraceful,” accusing the government of complicity in RSF atrocities, including war crimes documented in Darfur.

Critics warn that Sudan’s import ban is going to hit Kenya’s economy hard, particularly its tea exports, a key trade staple with Sudan.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi defended Kenya’s stance, arguing that the Nairobi meeting was a nonpartisan effort rooted in the country’s history of mediating Sudanese conflicts.

“Kenya remains committed to peace,” Mudavadi said on February 25.

However, Sudan’s recall of its ambassador and now the trade suspension have intensified diplomatic fallout.

Economic and Regional Stakes

The import ban is likely disrupt significant trade flows. Sudan ranks among Kenya’s top tea importers, while Kenya supplies Sudan with other goods critical to its economy. Sudan may also face domestic shortages, given its reliance on imports amid ongoing conflict.

The RSF, evolved from the Janjaweed militias, remains a polarizing force. Though Sudan labels it a “terrorist militia,” no formal international designation exists, complicating the narrative.

The U.S. has sanctioned RSF commanders for war crimes, but stopped short of a terrorist label, reflecting the delicate balance of diplomacy in the region.

Sudan continues to urge the international community to take a firm stance against Kenya’s actions, warning of broader instability in East Africa, a region already strained by conflicts in South Sudan and Somalia.