Kenya's Port of Mombasa has emerged as a crucial transit point in the illicit export of gum arabic, a crucial emulsifier found in globally popular beverages and confections.
According to reporting from Reuters, this natural gum, predominantly harvested in Sudan, is being smuggled through conflict zones under the aegis of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group. The RSF has made a home in Kenya, with the government saying, “providing a platform for dialogue aligns with Kenya's longstanding role in regional peace negotiations.’
Gum arabic, derived from the sap of Acacia trees, serves as a stabilizing agent in numerous products, including soft drinks and candies. Sudan is responsible for approximately 80 per cent of the world's supply of this commodity. However, the ongoing civil unrest has disrupted legitimate harvesting and export operations, leading to a surge in illegal trafficking.
According to traders interviewed by the publication, the RSF's dominance over key gum-producing regions has compelled traders to navigate perilous routes, often resorting to smuggling to neighbouring countries like Kenya. Without proper certification, this contraband gum arabic infiltrates international markets, undermining efforts by global companies to maintain ethical supply chains.
Kenya is a producer of gum arabic, primarily harvested from Acacia senegal and Vachellia seyal trees found abundantly in the country's northern regions. Despite a production potential estimated at 12,000 metric tonnes annually, the current output is approximately 400 metric tonnes per year.
Kenya's strategic location and well-developed port infrastructure make it an attractive conduit for such illicit activities. The Port of Mombasa, in particular, has been identified as a critical hub where smuggled gum arabic is consolidated before being shipped to global destinations, a wholesale buyer based outside Sudan told Reuters.
The government's export data reflects a complex trade environment. In 2023, export earnings reached a historic high of KSh1 trillion, marking a 15.4 per cent increase from the previous year. Key contributors included tea (KSh188.7 billion) and horticulture (KSh187.4 billion).
However, the surge in re-exports, which grew by 78 per cent to KSh165.5 billion, raises concerns about the potential inclusion of illicit goods, such as smuggled gum arabic.
According to data from Eurostat, Kenya’s exports of the commodity have jumped from 16,000 kilogrammes in 2014 to 170,678 kilogrammes in 2023. This marks the third-largest export of the commodity over the same period. The highest export was in 2016, when Kenya exported 235,138 kilogrammes of gum arabic.
The intertwining of legitimate and illicit trade not only threatens the reputation of Kenyan exports but also poses risks to the global supply chain of essential commodities. Companies dependent on gum arabic face increasing pressure to verify the authenticity and ethical sourcing of their supplies.
The international community has expressed concern over the RSF's control of gum-producing areas and the subsequent smuggling activities.
The United Nations has reported an influx of flights from the United Arab Emirates to Chad, allegedly supplying weapons to Sudanese rebels, further exacerbating the conflict and complicating efforts to stabilise the region.
