Sudan terminated all imports from Kenya in protest after the RSF Paravili Powers (RSF), who were fighting the army in a two -year civil war, hosted Nairobi.
Last month, RSF and its allied political and armed groups signed a justified Charter in Kenya, expressing the intention of forming a parallel government in Sudan.
Sudan's military government has said the ban on imports is to preserve the country's sovereignty and to “protect its national security.”
The war -destroyed country imports several Kenya products, including tea, food and pharmaceuticals.
“The import of all products coming from Kenya through all ports, crossings, airports and ports will be suspended from that day to a further notification,” said a decree issued by the Sudan Ministry of Trade.
He ordered “all relevant authorities to apply the ban immediately.”
The tension between Kenya and Sudan has been escalated for several months.
Kenyan President William Ruto has encountered a broad criticism at home for his adopted close relationships with RSF.
Last month, Sudan recalled his ambassador to Kenya in protest of Nairobi's involvement in Conspiracy to create a Government for RSF.
Sudan called Kenya's household at RSF meetings “equalizing an act of hostility.”
But Kenya defended her role, stating that the hosting of the meetings was part of the efforts to find solutions to end the war in Sudan “without any last motives.”
Both countries have traditionally enjoyed strong trade relations, with Kenya being an important partner for Sudan, especially in agriculture and production.
Kenya exports a number of goods to Sudan, with tea being his most significant export, followed by coffee, tobacco and other products such as soaps, electrical equipment and pharmaceuticals.
Tea is one of the most significant workers in the currency in Kenya and this move is expected to break both commercial flows and the wider economy.
“This ban will be a big blow and the currency will take a blow. This would mean less currency and more exposure to financial services. It has a pulsating effect that extends beyond trade,” said economist Ken Jiching to the BBC.
Sudan is one of the first five destinations for Kenyan tea and producers are worried about the effects of the ban.
The East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) expressed concerns about current contracts and shipments stuck in transit.
“At the moment, the teas are in Port Sudan, and several already sent containers are already stuck on the high seas,” the statement said.
The large shares in the port city of Kenya cannot be sent either.
“This will lead to unattainable losses caused by buyers and will be reduced to manufacturers and farmers,” the association warned.
RSF adviser El Basha Tebeg tried to calm Kenya, saying that the group would “guarantee the smooth passage of Kenyan goods in Sudan” in those areas he controls.
But Port Sudan is in the hands of the army and has become the headquarters of the military government because of the fighting in Khartoum.
The Kenyan government is yet to comment, but Agriculture Minister Mutachi Kagve has recently said that his country is exploring diplomatic pathways to address the challenges of the Sudan access market.
The export of tea to Kenya in Sudan has already been affected by the conflict there.
A recent report showed a 12% reduction in the export of tea to Kenyan tea to Sudan in the last year.
The war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, caused widespread destruction, disruption of supply chains and limiting the ability of the business to work normally.
The ports and border crossings that are vital to trade have been damaged or impeded by violence, significantly reducing the flow of goods between Sudan and its neighbors, including Kenya.
The conflict has devastated large parts of Sudan – including the capital Khartoum – with thousands killed and over 12 million displaced, according to the United Nations organization.