MAYSA AL QADI

Sudan- Drones attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on power stations have resulted in power outages affecting several states in Sudan. Sudan’s Electricity Holding Company announced on Friday that the Atbara power substation in River Nile State was hit by a drone strike, resulting in widespread power outages across the River Nile and Red Sea States, deepening the country’s ongoing energy crisis.

The power outages have affected people, especially displaced people, in several states in the country.

“Targeting power stations harm civilians, increasing their suffering,” said Dalia Mohammed, a displaced person from Khartoum. “The power outages have a significant impact on women's lives and their ability to secure food and water needs. The power outages have also led to water outages, causing a lack of drinking water.”

Before the power outages, Dalia Mohammed used an electric stove. “However, we now have to use gas and coal to cook. When the conflict broke out in Sudan, many men went abroad to work and send money to their families. My husband is one of them. My mobile phone was shut down for a while due to power outages. The locations of the generators are far away from us and we have to pay a fee to charge our mobile phones.”

Siblings of Dalia Mohammed cannot study in the evening due to power outages. “They have to study only during the day. The power outages also affect our daily life. For instance, when we have a broken device and take it to a repair shop, the owners of the shops say they cannot repair the device due to the power outages. I went to the mill to get flour; however, the owner of the mill told me that he could not grind the wheat due to the ongoing power outages.”

The cost for diesel to run a generator has also increased in the country, causing food prices and medical prices to rise. Dalia Mohamed went to the dentist to undergo a dental treatment. “I went to the dentist with my father. After my treatment started, the generator suddenly stopped. The dentist was about to treat my wrong tooth. My father warned and showed him the correct one.”

“The power outages affect the people mostly in the evening,” said Dina Adam. “Students cannot study in the evening. For instance, I have a henna business and the evening is the best time for me to work. The power outages also stop my business because I need a refrigerator for my business.”