{"id":20132616,"date":"2026-05-19T18:42:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:42:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/?p=20132616"},"modified":"2026-05-19T18:51:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:51:12","slug":"former-sudan-energy-minister-calls-for-national-energy-charter-to-rebuild-state-and-prevent-fragmentation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/former-sudan-energy-minister-calls-for-national-energy-charter-to-rebuild-state-and-prevent-fragmentation","title":{"rendered":"Former Sudan energy minister calls for \u2018national energy charter to rebuild state and prevent fragmentation\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By\u00a0Suleiman <\/a>Siri<\/a>\u00a0for Radio Dabanga<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Former Sudanese Energy Minister Eng Khairy Abdelrahman Ahmed has called for a national energy charter to guarantee fair electricity production, transmission, and distribution across Sudan, warning that unequal access to energy has fuelled instability and conflict in the country.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a research paper titled\u00a0The Role of \u201cBalanced Energy\u201d in the Strategic Vision of Rebuilding the Sudanese State<\/em>, Abdelrahman<\/a> argued that Sudan must place energy at the centre of post-war reconstruction efforts to prevent further fragmentation and strengthen national unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presenting the paper, Abdelrahman said the country needed a \u201cnew social development contract\u201d in which the energy sector supports national stability through balanced development and equitable access to basic services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Energy justice and regional inequality\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper outlined three key priorities: ensuring justice in energy distribution, protecting energy infrastructure during conflict, and coordinating national planning and investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abdelrahman urged authorities to prioritise regions historically deprived of electricity and basic infrastructure, calling for measures to narrow the development gap between Sudan\u2019s centre and its marginalised regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also stressed the need to link local resource wealth to regional development and guarantee minimum levels of electricity and essential services nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Infrastructure damaged by war\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper warned that the war exposed the vulnerability of Sudan\u2019s energy infrastructure after widespread power outages disrupted hospitals, water stations, and communications networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abdelrahman described energy facilities as sovereign infrastructure \u201cno less important than airports and military bases\u201d, calling for modern protection systems using advanced communications technology and artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further called for the rehabilitation and expansion of Sudan\u2019s damaged national electricity grid and advocated decentralised solutions such as mini-grids and solar systems to maintain services in war-affected areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Vision for reconstruction and investment\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study proposed a unified national energy strategy involving universities, Sudanese experts abroad, private sector actors, and international financing institutions to support reconstruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It recommended an energy mix by 2040 consisting of 40 per cent hydroelectric power, 30 per cent solar energy, 20 per cent thermal power, and 10 per cent wind energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper also called for stronger links between the energy sector and agriculture, industry, transport, water, and public services, alongside the creation of a regional electricity market connecting Sudan with neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Sudan as a regional energy hub\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abdelrahman argued that Sudan\u2019s vast hydroelectric, solar, wind, oil, and gas resources position the country to become a regional energy hub, particularly through electrical interconnection projects with Egypt and other neighbouring states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the paper cautioned against overreliance on hydropower because of climate change risks and stressed the importance of fair management of oil and gas revenues to support local development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former minister also highlighted financing challenges, saying external funding conditions had hampered the development of major energy projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Energy and national unity\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the paper, strengthening the national electricity grid could help preserve Sudan\u2019s territorial unity by increasing economic interdependence between regions and raising the political and economic costs of separation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper concluded that Sudan\u2019s future stability depends on its ability to harness energy resources within a national framework based on justice, balanced development, and equal access to services.<\/p>\n