Sudan’s Forests Face Severe Decline Amid Conflict and Economic Pressure

Sudan’s environmental landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by a combination of long-term agricultural expansion and the immediate pressures of ongoing conflict. According to a statement reviewed by GN auto geopolitics/africa: Sudan conflict, Abdelmoneim El Huweiriss, a former adviser on integrated agricultural development at the Sudanese agriculture ministry, estimates that the country has lost approximately 60 percent of its forest cover since 1990. This significant reduction represents a substantial loss of ecological stability in a region already vulnerable to climate variability.

The decline is not uniform across the nation but is particularly acute in key savannah regions. El Huweiriss identifies Kordofan, Darfur, Blue Nile, White Nile, Butana, and El Gedaref as areas where forest deterioration has been most severe. These regions, which historically supported diverse ecosystems and livelihoods, are now facing a critical threshold of environmental degradation that threatens both local communities and the broader regional climate system.

Conflict Intensifies Resource Scarcity

The ongoing war has acted as a catalyst for accelerated deforestation, according to the former ministerial adviser. With the collapse of electricity supplies and interruptions to cooking-gas deliveries, many households have turned to firewood as a primary fuel source. This shift in domestic energy consumption places direct and immediate pressure on remaining woodland areas, turning environmental preservation into a secondary concern for those seeking basic survival.

Furthermore, the institutional framework for protecting these resources has weakened significantly. El Huweiriss notes that government agencies responsible for monitoring and safeguarding forests have effectively disappeared due to the conflict. This vacuum in oversight has left woodland increasingly vulnerable to unregulated exploitation, as the mechanisms for enforcement and conservation are no longer operational in many parts of the country.

Economic Drivers and Foreign Investment

Beyond the impact of war, structural economic factors are contributing to the loss of forest cover. The rapid expansion of mechanised farming has reduced the area available for natural vegetation, while a lack of public awareness regarding the importance of forests has hindered grassroots conservation efforts. These long-term trends have created a baseline of vulnerability that the current crisis has exacerbated.

Specific concerns have also been raised regarding foreign investment. In Blue Nile state, state authorities have granted rights to foreign interests, including Egyptian entities, to invest in forest resources. According to El Huweiriss, these arrangements have further complicated the situation, potentially prioritizing commercial extraction over sustainable management in areas that are already environmentally stressed.

Long-Term Restoration Challenges

Reversing this trend will require significant time and international cooperation. El Huweiriss emphasizes that rehabilitation of Sudan’s forests will take at least two decades, making immediate political and economic stability a prerequisite for any meaningful recovery. He calls for a short-term roadmap to restore forest cover, alongside a comprehensive assessment of the damage sustained over the past three decades.

The former adviser urges the establishment of international partnerships to access dedicated funding and technical support. Organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations are identified as potential partners for this effort. The focus is on restoring the gum arabic belt, a critical economic asset that provides significant revenue and foreign currency for the country, highlighting the intertwined nature of environmental health and economic resilience in Sudan.