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.
