Sudan's Power and Fuel Crisis Deepens Amid War and Global Supply Shocks

Sudan is grappling with a severe electricity and fuel crisis that has intensified due to the ongoing four-year civil war and regional geopolitical tensions. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, compounded by disruptions in Gulf energy supply chains linked to the US-Israeli-Iran war, has crippled the national power grid. Residents in Khartoum face daily blackouts, forcing families to rely on candles for studying and firewood for cooking, while water pumps remain inactive. Simultaneously, fuel prices have surged over 40 percent in recent weeks, reaching approximately 6,870 Sudanese pounds per litre, as the local currency loses significant value against the US dollar. This economic turmoil has devastated livelihoods; mechanics cannot afford generator fuel, and transport workers spend hours queuing at petrol stations rather than working. Despite government promises to improve services after returning to Khartoum, the combination of internal conflict and external energy shocks has made restoring stability nearly impossible, disrupting education, food storage, and basic daily routines for millions.