The move comes after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and several Sudanese political groups signed an agreement in Kenya on February 22, 2025 to form a parallel government opposing Sudanese authorities.
Sudan’s leaders reportedly opposed this, hence accused Kenya of helping the RSF take political control. The Sudanese government announced the ban on March 13, saying it was a response to Kenya hosting meetings of the RSF and its allies.
Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Supplies, Omar Ahmed Mohamed Ali, signed the order, which applies to all goods coming from Kenya by land, sea, and air.
The government said the ban is necessary to protect Sudan’s national security and would remain in place until further notice. Relevant officials were told to enforce the ban immediately.
Sudan relies on Kenya for many imports, including tea, food, and medicine. The trade ban is likely to affect businesses in both countries. Two days before the agreement was signed, Sudan recalled its ambassador from Kenya in protest. But Kenya has defended itself, saying it only hosted the meetings to help find a peaceful solution to Sudan’s ongoing war, with support from the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU).
It could be recalled that a civil war between two major rival factions of the military government of Sudan began during the Ramadan period on April 15, 2023. The two opponent factions consist of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies.
More than 20,000 people have thus far lost their lives, and 14 million forced to flee their homes, according to the UN reports. Some studies suggest the real death toll could be much higher, possibly around 130,000.
The fighting has now spread to most parts of Sudan, and the situation is getting worse by the day.
The UN and other international groups have warned that millions of people are at risk of starvation as food supplies run out.
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