Sudan's eastern states are experiencing massive power outages after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a coordinated drone attack on five power stations. The strikes, which occurred on Monday, hit two power stations each in Al-Jazira and Gedaref states, and one in White Nile state. This has resulted in widespread power outages across large parts of these three states, all of which are controlled by the Sudanese army.
The Sudanese army has been at war with the RSF, its former ally, since April 2023. The conflict has had a devastating impact on the country, with millions of people facing extreme hunger and basic services severely disrupted. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that regular attacks on power stations threaten the health and services of millions of people. The current power outages have exacerbated the situation, with residents expressing concerns about the impact on essential services such as healthcare and food storage.
Residents in affected areas have reported that the power outages started at 2 am, with many expressing fears about the impact on their daily lives. Babiker Youssef, a resident of Al-Fao in Gedaref, said his son's insulin had to be stored in the fridge and he was worried that it would spoil without electricity. The power outages have also affected farmers, who had started to rehabilitate and re-plant their land after the army recaptured Al-Jazira state from the RSF last year.
The conflict in Sudan has been fought primarily via drones, with both sides launching sophisticated attacks that have killed dozens of civilians at a time. In the first three weeks of October alone, drone strikes killed over 300 people and injured hundreds more, according to a UN tally. The war has ravaged the country, with aid workers estimating that it has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions.
The power outages have also had a significant impact on the economy, with Sudan grappling with unprecedented inflation and a currency in freefall. The Sudanese pound has lost over 25 percent of its value in recent weeks, adding to the country's economic woes. Grocers and traders are struggling to maintain their stock, with Ibrahim Mohammed, a 37-year-old grocer in Gedaref, saying he was already facing power cuts before the strike and now risks losing his entire stock.
The situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, with the majority of hospitals forced shut and at least eight million children out of school. The country's infrastructure has been severely damaged, with swathes of the country unable to access basic services. The international community has expressed concern about the situation, with the UN condemning drone strikes on civilians and infrastructure.
The RSF drone strikes on power stations have compounded the suffering of nearly 20 million people facing extreme hunger in Sudan. The country's farmers, who had started to rehabilitate their land, are now facing further challenges. Abdelhafez Daafallah, a 54-year-old farmer from Al-Jazira's Al-Junaid town, expressed frustration that the power station had been hit again, after it had been repaired and he had hoped to start farming again.
Key points
- The RSF drone strikes on power stations have caused mass power outages in eastern Sudan.
- The conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on the country, with millions of people facing extreme hunger and basic services severely disrupted.
- The power outages have exacerbated the situation, with residents expressing concerns about the impact on essential services such as healthcare and food storage.
