Sudan faces severe power crisis with residents resorting to alternative methods

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Sudan’s Electricity Crisis Worsens Amid Fuel Price Surge and Economic Turmoil

Khartoum, Sudan - Residents of southern Khartoum are facing daily challenges as the country’s power grid continues to experience widespread outages. Husna Mohamed, a 34-year-old mother of five, is among those struggling with the consequences. Before her children leave for school and her husband heads to his workshop, she must carry jerrycans towards the shared water pipe in her neighborhood.

The power cuts have made it difficult for her to perform daily household chores, forcing her to make the trip multiple times a day. “My day has become a series of attempts to overcome these small details,” Husna said. “When the electricity was stable, daily household chores were easier.”

Sudan’s power grid was already structurally compromised before the current breakdown, which is attributed in part to the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The regional conflict with Iran has also contributed to the crisis.

The country’s reliance on imported fuel has made it vulnerable to disruptions in Gulf energy supply chains and shipping routes. As a result, fuel prices have surged sharply, driving up costs for transport, food, and basic goods. The Sudanese pound has lost approximately 20% of its value in recent weeks, with the US dollar now trading at over 390 pounds on the black market.

The government announced a return to Khartoum in January and promised an improvement in services, including electricity. However, restoring those services to a war-torn city amid a global energy crisis has proven challenging.

Inside homes, the consequences of the power outage are immediate and compounding. Without refrigeration, Husna can no longer store food, forcing her to cook and consume meals on the same day. Her eldest daughter, 16, is preparing for her high school exams but faces difficulties due to the lack of electricity. “The lack of electricity becomes a direct obstacle to her studies,” Husna said.

The fuel crisis has also affected local businesses. Yasser al-Balhawi, a bus driver in Khartoum, now spends more time at petrol stations than on the road. His earnings no longer cover his expenses due to rising fuel costs, leaving him with limited options. The knock-on effects are visible in local markets as well.

The situation remains dire for many residents of Sudan, who are struggling to cope with the power outages and fuel price surge.

Source: Al Jazeera