Sudans Ongoing Conflict Raises Concerns About Countrys Long-Term Stability and Future

Sudan’s Civil War Enters Third Year, Devastating Infrastructure and Economy

The conflict in Sudan, which began in 2023, has had a profound impact on the country’s civilian infrastructure and economy. According to recent reports, over 40,000 people have been killed, approximately 14 million displaced, and significant damage has been done to civilian infrastructure across the country.

A report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Institute for Security Studies provides an overview of Sudan’s economic collapse since the war began. The report estimates that even under a scenario of peace being achieved in 2026, Sudan would still lose approximately $18.8 billion in its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2043.

The destruction of infrastructure has imposed a significant economic cost on the country, with estimated losses of $6.4 billion in GDP in 2023 alone. The conflict has damaged farmland, irrigation systems, and transport networks, contributing to a 15% drop in cultivated land. In urban centers, factories have been destroyed, power supply has been disrupted, and industrial activity has collapsed by about 90%.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified over 200 attacks on healthcare facilities, with fewer than 14% fully operational in conflict areas. Thousands of schools have closed or been damaged, disrupting the education of millions of children. Agriculture, which employed approximately 65% of the workforce, has also been severely impacted by the war.

The report highlights that the damage goes beyond lost economic activity and affects the very foundations of the economy, including agriculture, industry, services, and state institutions. The UNDP estimates that average incomes have fallen back to levels last seen in 1992, underscoring the depth of the economic shock and its impact on households across the country.

The conflict has also had a significant impact on rural communities, with many losing their economic base due to the destruction of cultivated land and disruption of agricultural activity. The informal economy, which is a key source of survival for many people in Sudan, has contracted as resource shortages and displacement have shut down small businesses and markets.

Source: Al Jazeera