Abdelmoneim El Huweiriss: Sudan Sees 60% Forest Loss Since 1990

• Sudan has lost approximately 60% of its forest cover since 1990, according to former agriculture ministry adviser Abdelmoneim El Huweiriss.
• The primary causes of this extensive deforestation include rapid mechanized farming expansion, weak government oversight, and increased reliance on firewood due to conflict.
• Government agencies tasked with forest protection have reportedly ceased operations, leaving woodlands vulnerable to exploitation, with administrative functions fractured across the country.
• Foreign entities, such as Egyptian interests in Blue Nile state, have been granted rights to invest in forests amidst the ongoing degradation.
• Urgent reforestation, particularly in the economically vital gum arabic belt, is needed, though rehabilitation is projected to take at least two decades.

The former adviser highlighted that government agencies tasked with safeguarding and monitoring these vital natural resources have effectively ceased to function amidst the ongoing conflict, leaving vast tracts of woodland increasingly vulnerable to exploitation.

Sudan has experienced a severe and accelerating decline in its forest cover, with approximately 60% of its woodlands vanishing since 1990. This stark figure was highlighted by Abdelmoneim El Huweiriss, a former adviser on integrated agricultural development and transformation at Sudan's agriculture ministry, who warned of widespread environmental degradation across the nation. Once covering about 12% of the country's landmass, the extensive loss represents millions of acres, with estimates indicating between 50% and 60% of forests have been destroyed.

The deterioration is particularly pronounced in Sudan's rich savannah regions, including Kordofan, Darfur, Blue Nile, White Nile, Butana, and El Gedaref. El Huweiriss's assessment underscores a critical environmental crisis, emphasizing that the destruction of vegetation and woodland has intensified significantly during the country's protracted conflict. The scale of this deforestation poses profound challenges for the nation's ecological balance and long-term sustainability.

This dramatic reduction in forest area is not merely an environmental concern but also signals heightened risks for any entity considering investment or operations within Sudan's agricultural or natural resource sectors. The rapid pace of degradation, coupled with the reported collapse of state oversight, creates a volatile landscape for compliance and reputational management.

Several interconnected factors contribute to Sudan's extensive forest destruction, according to El Huweiriss. The rapid expansion of mechanized farming practices is identified as a primary driver, consuming vast tracts of land that were once forested. This agricultural intensification, combined with a notable lack of effective government oversight and limited public awareness regarding the ecological importance of forests, has created a permissive environment for widespread deforestation.

The ongoing conflict has further exacerbated the pressure on Sudan's remaining forests. With the collapse of electricity supplies and disruptions to cooking-gas deliveries, communities have increasingly turned to firewood as a primary fuel source. This surge in demand for wood for domestic use places immense strain on already dwindling forest resources, accelerating their depletion across various regions.

A critical element in the unfolding crisis is the reported disappearance of state capacity. El Huweiriss noted that government agencies historically responsible for protecting and monitoring Sudan's forests have effectively ceased to function due to the conflict. This institutional vacuum leaves the country's woodlands increasingly vulnerable to unregulated exploitation, presenting significant Sudan natural resource investment risk for stakeholders. Reports indicate that administrative functions across the country have been fractured, and government institutions have relocated, providing services to a limited population segment, which has called the state's legitimacy into question.

Adding another layer of complexity to the environmental crisis, state authorities in some areas have granted foreign interests the right to invest in forests. A notable example cited by El Huweiriss involves Egyptian interests securing such rights within Blue Nile state. This development raises concerns about the management and long-term implications of foreign involvement in Sudan's natural resources, particularly given the existing governance challenges and the severe environmental degradation impact.

In response to the dire situation, El Huweiriss has called for urgent and comprehensive reforestation efforts, with a particular focus on Sudan's economically vital gum arabic belt. This region is crucial for the country's revenue generation and foreign currency earnings, making its ecological restoration a national priority. However, the scale of the damage means that rehabilitation will be a protracted process, estimated to take at least two decades.

To address the immediate and long-term challenges, El Huweiriss advocates for the development of a short-term roadmap for forest cover restoration, alongside a thorough assessment of the existing damage. He also urged Sudan to forge international partnerships to secure dedicated funding and technical support from global organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other bodies focused on environmental protection and climate change.

Lawyers advising clients on investments or operations in Sudan's agricultural or natural resource sectors should be aware of the heightened environmental, regulatory, and reputational risks stemming from severe forest degradation and the reported collapse of state oversight. The granting of investment rights to foreign entities amidst this chaos also signals potential for complex land-use disputes and compliance challenges.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Dabanga