Sudan Humanitarian Crisis
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
What is the estimated cost of damage to Sudan's sugar industry due to the conflict?
The devastation to Sudan's sugar industry is extremely extensive, with an estimated cost of at least $350 million in damages. Sudan has six sugar factories with a combined production capacity of nearly half a million tons per year, but these facilities have been severely impacted by the conflict. Even before the current violence, decades of political turmoil, economic mismanagement, and US sanctions had already taken their toll on the factories and turned farms into wastelands. A committee has been established to develop a plan for addressing this crisis in a sector vital to Sudan's economy and culture.
Watch clip answer (00:28m)Al Jazeera English
00:56 - 01:24
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
How has the destruction of the sugar factory affected the local farming community in Sudan?
The destruction of the sugar factory has devastated the local farming community, completely dismantling their livelihoods and way of life. As Uncle Khidr and other farmers near the Sennaar factory explain, their welfare and lifestyle were directly linked to the sugar production facility. When the factory was destroyed amid the ongoing conflict, farmers lost not only their economic stability but also their connection to traditional practices. The community takes pride in their locally produced sugar, which they describe as 'much sweeter' and 'more concentrated' than imports. This crisis represents more than just economic hardship—it's the loss of a cultural cornerstone in a society where sweeteners remain a dietary staple.
Watch clip answer (00:30m)
Al Jazeera English
02:16 - 02:46
How does Sudanese sugar compare to imported sugar according to Uncle Khidr?
According to Uncle Khidr, a farmer living near the Sennaar factory in Sudan, the locally produced Sudanese sugar is significantly superior to imported sugar. He emphatically states that their sugar is "much, much sweeter and much better" than imported alternatives. Uncle Khidr also points out that Sudanese sugar has higher concentration, making it more economical and effective for consumers. His frustration with the current situation stems from the unfairness of relying on inferior imported sugar while local production facilities have been damaged during political unrest, directly impacting the livelihoods of local farmers.
Watch clip answer (00:11m)Al Jazeera English
02:16 - 02:27