The collapse of the Sudanese economy following the war and its disastrous consequences
Since the start of the war in Sudan, the devastation has multiplied. Not only have thousands of lives been lost and millions of people left displaced, but the country’s economy is also collapsing. According to the latest forecasts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sudan is expected to experience a GDP contraction of 18% this year, a considerable drop that only worsens an already precarious economic situation.
Even before the war began, Sudan faced many economic challenges. Inflation was already reaching triple digits, putting enormous pressure on the population and making the cost of living unbearable. But with the outbreak of the conflict, the situation deteriorated further. The country’s infrastructure is destroyed, access to basic services is compromised and the population is forced to flee.
One of the sectors most affected by the war is agriculture, which represents almost 40% of GDP and 80% of jobs in Sudan. The fighting has led to the destruction of agricultural land and compromised agricultural activities, jeopardizing the country’s food security. Additionally, the authorities recently lost control of the Gezira agricultural project, further aggravating the situation.
Another pillar of the Sudanese economy is the sale of gold, which represents the country’s main source of income. However, due to the conflict, this source of income was interrupted, further worsening the economic crisis.
The fall of the Sudanese pound is also a glaring symptom of the collapse of the economy. Since the start of the war, the national currency has lost almost half of its value, leading to a dizzying increase in prices and financial destabilization for the population.
The consequences of this economic collapse are disastrous. Salaries have not been paid for months, which is plunging many families into precariousness. The reconstruction of the Sudanese economy promises to be long and difficult, requiring years of work. Furthermore, this weakened economic crisis in Sudan will have negative repercussions on neighboring countries and North Africa as a whole in the medium term, as the IMF points out.
The economic situation in Sudan is critical and requires urgent intervention. It is essential to support the country in its reconstruction and to find lasting solutions to revive its economy. Without this, Sudan risks suffering serious social and economic consequences for many years to come.