Sudan Conflict
How has Sudan's sugar trade evolved over time?
Sudan has long been importing sugar from countries like Brazil and Cuba, even when its local factories were operational. However, in recent years, the country's strategy shifted significantly. Sudan began trading its raw sugar for larger quantities of refined white sugar from countries like India and other nations. This trade evolution represents a fundamental shift in priorities, essentially exchanging quality for quantity. The change reflects Sudan's adaptation to economic pressures and shifting market dynamics amid ongoing conflict and instability that has affected local production capabilities.
Watch clip answer (00:21m)
Al Jazeera English
01:54 - 02:15
How has the destruction of the Sennaar sugar factory affected local farmers in Sudan?
The destruction of the Sennaar sugar factory has devastated the local farming community, directly impacting their livelihoods and welfare. According to Uncle Khidr, a farmer living near the factory, the community's lifestyle was intrinsically linked to the sugar production facility, which produced sugar that was "much sweeter," "much better," and "more concentrated" than imports. When the factory was destroyed during recent conflicts, the farmers' economic stability collapsed alongside it. This impact extends beyond economics to cultural significance, as sugar plays a central role in Sudanese daily life, with many Sudanese like Uncle Khidr consuming their coffee with cups "nearly half full of sugar."
Watch clip answer (00:30m)Al Jazeera English
02:16 - 02:46
How has the current conflict in Sudan affected the sugar industry?
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has severely disrupted the sugar industry, leaving 'a bitter taste in many mouths' as described in the report. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have seized control of multiple sugar factories, including a significant facility near the city of Sennaard. This military takeover of production facilities represents a major blow to Sudan's sugar supply chain and local economy. These developments are especially devastating for farming communities that rely on these factories for their livelihoods, compounding challenges in a country that was already struggling with sugar self-sufficiency and dependent on imports even before the conflict intensified.
Watch clip answer (00:12m)Al Jazeera English
00:40 - 00:53
What is Tamiz's daily coffee ritual?
Tamiz has a daily afternoon ritual where he stops at Mosdelife's open-air cafe on his way back from work. His beverage of choice is distinctive: black coffee sweetened with three large spoons of sugar, a preparation he considers essential to his enjoyment. This ritual is more than just a coffee break—it represents a moment of consistency and pleasure in Tamiz's daily routine. He is adamant about his preference, stating he cannot imagine drinking coffee any other way, highlighting how personal taste and cultural habits shape even the simplest daily practices.
Watch clip answer (00:19m)Al Jazeera English
00:00 - 00:19
What is the current state of Sudan's sugar industry and what factors have contributed to its decline?
Sudan's sugar industry has suffered extensive devastation, estimated to cost at least $350 million to repair. While the country has six sugar factories with a combined production capacity of nearly half a million tons annually, most are no longer operational due to severe damage from recent conflicts. Decades of political turmoil, economic mismanagement, and US sanctions have progressively weakened the industry, transforming productive farms into wastelands. These long-term challenges, compounded by recent conflicts, have critically undermined Sudan's domestic sugar production capabilities, threatening the country's agricultural self-sufficiency and affecting farmers' livelihoods.
Watch clip answer (00:24m)
Al Jazeera English
00:56 - 01:20
How has the conflict in Sudan impacted the country's sugar production and consumption?
The current conflict in Sudan has severely disrupted sugar production, with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces taking control of key sugar factories, including one near Sennaard city. This has created significant challenges for a population with a strong cultural connection to sugar consumption, as most Sudanese insist on using abundant sugar in their tea and coffee. Local businesses report that customers consume up to 3kg of sugar daily, highlighting the importance of this commodity in Sudanese culture. As one local states, 'I'm used to it like this since I was a child,' demonstrating how deeply ingrained sugar consumption is in daily life. However, the ongoing conflict has 'left a bitter taste in many mouths' as production facilities have been compromised by the fighting.
Watch clip answer (00:37m)Al Jazeera English
00:16 - 00:53