The destruction of Al-Sunut Forest in the heart of Khartoum is not an isolated incident, but the climax of a long history of deforestation, unsustainable fuel use, and policy failure in Sudan.
Al-Yurae Op-ed
The systematic destruction of Al-Sunut Forest in central Khartoum has triggered shock and anger among Sudanese citizens and environmental defenders. Once described as the “lungs of Khartoum”, this internationally recognized protected wetland has been almost entirely erased amid the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The loss of this unique urban forest is widely seen as a major environmental crime, in a country already facing existential threats from desertification, drought, and the collapse of its forest resources.
A long history of deforestation
Since the early 20th century, with the introduction of steam engines under the Anglo-Egyptian rule, Sudan’s forests have been exploited as a cheap energy source. Timber was cut systematically to fuel trains, river steamers, and later, expanding urban settlements. Over the decades, millions of Sudanese households depended on firewood and charcoal for cooking and heating, in the absence of accessible modern energy.
Charcoal production turned into a lucrative but highly destructive economy. Large areas of woodland were cleared, including forests that supplied gum arabic and other valuable products, while state institutions gradually lost control over logging activities. Weak governance, corruption, and lack of enforcement combined to create a pattern of chronic deforestation, accelerating desertification and biodiversity loss.
Brick kilns and the deepening of the crisis
The rapid growth of Sudanese cities brought another driver of environmental degradation: the shift from traditional mud bricks to fired bricks, produced in local kilns known as kamain. These kilns consume huge amounts of wood as fuel. Owners, driven by profit and often unaware of the long-term consequences, contributed to the expansion of tree-cutting far beyond sustainable limits.
As a result, deforestation in Sudan is no longer just a rural problem; it has become a structural feature of the urban economy, feeding on weak regulation and the absence of affordable clean energy alternatives. The consequences are visible in expanding desert frontiers, degraded soils, and the disappearance of wildlife habitats.
Al-Sunut Forest: An ecological and scientific landmark
Al-Sunut Forest, covering about 1,500 hectares at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile, was officially designated as a natural reserve in 1939 and classified as a wetland of international importance. It hosted rare and migratory birds, including herons, ibises, and various species of waterfowl, alongside reptiles and insects that formed a complex ecological web. In 1946, the forest became home to the School of Forestry Experts, which trained generations of Sudanese foresters and contributed to nationwide afforestation projects.
In other words, Al-Sunut was not just a green patch in the city; it was a living laboratory, a professional memory, and a symbol of Sudan’s environmental potential.
War, collapse, and a bare landscape
The outbreak of war in April 2023 marked a turning point. Under the pressure of conflict, economic desperation, and the breakdown of state authority, Al-Sunut Forest was subjected to intensive tree-cutting, as documented by photos and videos that circulated online. What used to be a dense riverside forest is now, in many places, an almost barren landscape.
Environmental experts argue that this is not merely a case of “removing trees”, but the collapse of an entire ecosystem that once protected Khartoum from desert encroachment, reduced air pollution, moderated temperatures, and acted as a natural carbon sink. With its disappearance, Khartoum becomes more exposed to heat waves, dust storms, and soil degradation, in a country already identified by international organizations as highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
From local tragedy to global responsibility
The crime committed against Al-Sunut Forest reflects a broader failure to integrate environmental protection into national security and development agendas. Deforestation, charcoal dependence, and unregulated urban growth are not isolated phenomena; they are symptoms of structural injustice and policy neglect.
For Sudan to recover, environmental governance must become a central pillar of any future peace and reconstruction process. This includes:
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Enforcing strict anti-logging laws and regulating charcoal production.
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Investing in clean cooking solutions and decentralized renewable energy.
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Launching large-scale reforestation and landscape restoration programs.
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Supporting local communities and civil society organizations in protecting remaining forests.
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Building strong partnerships with international institutions (UNEP, FAO, Green Climate Fund) to finance climate adaptation and forest recovery.
The story of Al-Sunut Forest should be remembered not only as a symbol of loss, but as a call to action – for Sudanese society and for the international community – to protect what remains of the country’s natural heritage and to rebuild an environmental ethic grounded in justice and survival.