Sudan’s Al-Sunut Acacia Forest Wiped Out by War, Threatening Ecosystem. Khartoum, Sudan — Nearly three years of conflict have led to the complete destruction of Sudan’s historic Al-Sunut acacia forest, south of Khartoum, according to local reports. Once a 1,500-hectare natural reserve, the forest has been reduced to barren fields of stumps, posing a significant threat to the region’s ecosystem.
Khartoum state environmental official Boushra Hamed described the situation as “completely wiped out, “noting the loss of 60 percent of the capital region’s green cover since fighting erupted in April 2023.
The forest’s destruction, Hamed said involved the “cut down with electric saws “of century-old trees, primarily for commercial timber and charcoal production.
The devastation extends beyond Sudan’s borders, explained Aboubakr Al-Tayeb, Khartoum’s forestry administrator.
The forest was a critical habitat for over a hundred migratory bird species from Europe.
The loss of this habitat is a significant blow to biodiversity. Agricultural engineer Al-Nazir Ali Babiker warned that the removal of tree cover eliminates a critical “barrier “against seasonal flooding—a recurring disaster that has destroyed homes and displaced families.
With forest protection inaccessible due to ongoing fighting, logging continues unchecked.
Restoration efforts face daunting challenges, as seedlings grow slowly. Forests National Corporation head Mousa el-Sofori lamented the loss of ancient forests, noting that “some of these forests were centuries old.”.
The situation underscores the broader impact of conflict on the environment, with natural resources being exploited and ecosystems destroyed.
As the situation remains fluid, further details are expected.
