Attacks on Fuel Depots in Port Sudan Threaten Country’s Stability

War Crime Unfolding in Sudan

A former Sudanese energy official has issued a stark warning regarding recent attacks on fuel depots in Port Sudan, labeling them as potential “war crimes” that could further destabilize the country’s already fragile fuel supplies.

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Rapid Support Forces Launch Drone Strikes

• Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces launched drone strikes in Port Sudan, targeting fuel depots in the eastern city early Monday and Tuesday, marking a major escalation in the two-year conflict.
• Large plumes of smoke and fire rose from the facility as civil defense teams worked to contain the blaze.

Strategic Fuel Reserves Under Attack

Eng. Hamed Suleiman, former undersecretary of Sudan’s Energy Ministry, revealed that the attacked depots were among the country’s largest strategic fuel reserves, with a combined storage capacity of 22,000 metric tons of petroleum products.

• One of the depots targeted was located near the main port and played a crucial role in storing imported petroleum products to ensure stable power supply and ship unloading.
• The damage caused by the attacks is not only a major loss to the Sudanese people but also poses a significant threat to the country’s fuel sector.

Long-Term Consequences and Economic Impact

Suleiman, an expert in the petroleum field, highlighted the reliance of Sudan on imported fuel for various sectors such as transportation, agriculture, industry, and power generation.

• Any damage to the infrastructure supporting these sectors will have a direct impact on Sudan’s economy, leading to long-term consequences for energy supply stability.
• He also expressed concerns about environmental and health damage from fires caused by the attacks and the potential increase in deforestation if alternative fuel sources are sought.

Rebuilding Sudan’s Energy Sector

Sudan’s Oil and Energy Minister, Mohieddin Naeem Mohamed Saeed, estimated that rebuilding the country’s energy and oil sector would cost more than $5 billion due to the extensive damage to oil facilities, power stations, and the loss of crude and refined products.

Losses and Decline in Oil Production

• The minister reported the loss of about 210,000 barrels of crude after the sabotage of a storage facility at the Khartoum refinery, along with the destruction of other infrastructure such as gasoline and gas depots.
• Additionally, there has been a decline in oil production, resulting in the loss of nearly 7 million barrels of crude that the country could not extract.

Efforts to Contain the Damage

The attack triggered fires in diesel storage tanks, which quickly spread to neighboring tanks holding large quantities of fuel. Civil defense police are working tirelessly to contain the blaze and prevent a potential disaster in the area.

The Devastating Impact of the Conflict

The war in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has had catastrophic consequences, with tens of thousands killed, 13 million displaced, and the creation of the world’s largest displacement and hunger crises.

Country Divided and in Crisis

• The conflict has effectively split the country, with the army controlling the north, east, and center, while the RSF dominates nearly all of the western Darfur region and parts of the south.

As Sudan grapples with the aftermath of these attacks and the ongoing conflict, the future of the country’s energy sector hangs in the balance. The need for international support and effective measures to rebuild and secure critical infrastructure has never been more urgent.