Eastern Sudan: Drone Attacks Knock Out Power Grid

Darkness swallowed eastern Sudan on Sunday after paramilitary forces targeted the region's electrical backbone. A government official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the Rapid Support Forces launched a coordinated drone assault on five power stations. The strikes hit two facilities in Al-Jazira state, two in Gedaref, and one in White Nile state. All three states remain under the control of the Sudanese army, which has fought the RSF since April 2023.

The outages disrupted services across large parts of the three states. The United Nations has warned that repeated attacks on power infrastructure jeopardize the health of millions of people. These residents are already managing the world's largest hunger crisis. Previous drone strikes on power plants and hydroelectric dams have previously left communities without electricity for days.

In Al-Fao, Gedaref, Babiker Youssef reported that his home had been without power since early morning. His son requires refrigerated insulin to manage diabetes. Youssef stated by phone that he did not know when the grid would restore service. He feared the medication would spoil, making it impossible to replace the stock.

Agricultural recovery has also stalled. In Al-Junaid, Al-Jazira, farmer Abdelhafez Daafallah said conditions began improving only three months ago. A militia destroyed a local power station, which was subsequently repaired. Daafallah, 54, hoped irrigation pumps would resume operation. He had been unable to work his land for nearly four years. Farmers in Al-Jazira are currently trying to rehabilitate fields after the army retook the state from the RSF last year.

Small businesses face immediate financial losses. Ibrahim Mohammed, a 37-year-old grocer in Gedaref, noted that he dealt with hours-long outages before the strikes. He stored chicken in a refrigerator. Mohammed said he must either lose his entire stock or sell it at any price. He described selling at a discount as still being a loss.

The conflict has shifted to drone warfare, with both sides launching sophisticated attacks. According to United Nations data, drone strikes in the first three weeks of October killed more than 300 people. Hundreds more were wounded. The war has devastated the nation of 50 million. Aid workers estimate the conflict has killed more than 200,000 people. Most hospitals have closed, at least 8 million children are out of school, and large areas lack basic services.

The economy remains under strain. Sudan is grappling with high inflation. The currency has lost more than 25% of its value in recent weeks.