The Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi has rejected President William Ruto’s assertion that Kenya continues to export products, including tea, to Sudan despite the trade suspension.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the embassy reaffirmed that the import ban imposed by Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Supply on March 11 remains fully in place, preventing any Kenyan goods from entering the country.
“The Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Nairobi wishes to clarify Sudan’s trade policy concerning imports from Kenya. On March 11, 2025, Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Supply issued a decree suspending all imports from Kenya in line with Sudan’s national interest. The decision has been fully implemented, and since then, no Kenyan products, including Kenyan tea, have been imported into Sudan,” read the statement.
The embassy’s response follows President Ruto’s remarks on Monday evening, where he suggested that Kenyan tea was still reaching Sudan despite the trade ban.
“By the way, we are selling tea to Sudan, even after they said they are not buying our tea. The market itself has forced them. We sell tea today to Sudan, so there is no issue, and that is why we are making money in the tea sector,” Ruto stated.
However, the Sudanese Embassy dismissed his comments as misleading, emphasizing its commitment to enforcing the suspension as part of the country’s economic and diplomatic policies.
Trade Dispute Rooted in Diplomatic Tensions
The trade restrictions imposed by Sudan came in response to Kenya’s decision to host leaders of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary faction involved in ongoing conflict with the Sudanese government.
Kenya, however, defended its involvement, arguing that facilitating talks was a diplomatic effort to help resolve the crisis in Sudan, rather than an act of political interference.
The suspension has disrupted long-standing trade relations between the two nations. Kenya has historically been a key exporter to Sudan, with tea as the leading commodity, alongside coffee, tobacco, soaps, electrical equipment, and pharmaceuticals.
