Restoring the City of Wad Madani: Economic Gains

Report – Rehab Abdullah

Economic experts have emphasized the importance of reclaiming the city of Wad Madani, the capital of the Gezira State, and clearing it of the Rapid Support Forces militia. They highlighted the significance of Wad Madani for the Sudanese economy, starting with the geographical location of Gezira State, which connects five Sudanese states. It also houses the largest fuel depot and is considered the food artery of Sudan due to the presence of the Gezira Scheme. Furthermore, it has many factories, as industrial activities were concentrated before the war in Khartoum and Gezira, with many factory owners moving their industries there after the war and before the fall of the region.

Economist Dr. Haitham confirmed that restoring Gezira means bringing hope and life back to all Sudanese people. The “Green Gezira” is the heart of Sudan, especially in the economic aspect, manifested in the return of activities, markets, and economic projects in the city, which is an important economic center, particularly in the agricultural and commercial sectors, as well as the restoration of the damaged infrastructure, such as roads, health facilities, and educational institutions.

An Economic Hub

Haitham Fathi, in his speech to (Al-Akhbar), stated that Gezira State and its capital, Wad Madani, connect the states of Sinnar and the Blue Nile to the south, Gedaref, Kassala, and Port Sudan to the east, the White Nile, Kordofan, and Darfur to the west, and the Nile River, Northern State, and Khartoum to the north. It is an economic hub due to the presence of the Gezira Scheme, which is the largest agricultural project in Africa, covering an area of 2.2 million acres. It is also famous for producing agricultural crops like cotton, wheat, and corn.

Control Over the Agricultural Sector

Haitham Fathi also confirmed that controlling Gezira State gives the Sudanese army greater control over the agricultural sector, one of the country’s main sources of income. The city is the first and second most populous economic center in Sudan and also contains the largest fuel depots after Khartoum, which previously supplied Central and Western Sudan after the depots in Khartoum were damaged due to the war.

He pointed out the industrial area of the Managil region, which is an extension of the Gezira Scheme, and contains many factories. Many businessmen moved to it after the destruction of the economic infrastructure in Khartoum.

The Largest Irrigation Project in Africa

Banking expert Walid Dalil stated that Gezira State holds major economic significance, as it houses the largest irrigation project in Africa, covering 2.2 million acres. The project serves as a strategic reserve for essential crops like wheat and corn. With the ongoing war in the state, the agricultural season could be affected, leading to an increase in the food crisis in the country. He noted that the Rapid Support Forces militia’s control of the city of Wad Madani is due to its economic importance, as it contains the largest fuel depots after Khartoum, which supply Central and Western Sudan after the depots in Khartoum became non-operational due to the war.

Leather Tanning and Textile Factories

Dalil explained that the city is famous for shoe manufacturing, leather tanning, and textile factories. It also has biscuit, soap, and cotton crop factories. Additionally, it hosts five markets: the large market, the small market, the popular market, the central market, and the “Um Suwaigo” market, which is known for selling fish.

Fuel Depots

Dalil added that the targeting of the “Um Alila” area east of Wad Madani is of great importance to the Rapid Support Forces militia, as it contains the main fuel depots of Gezira State through the petroleum pipeline. This led to the militia’s control of the “Jili” petroleum refinery in Khartoum Bahri since the war began, until it was bombed on December 6, 2023, for the fourth time, with accusations exchanged between the army and the militia regarding responsibility for the bombing, leading it to go out of service.

Petroleum Resources

Dalil continued, stating that the “Al-Obeid” refinery also went out of service in July 2023, leaving the third and only operating refinery in Port Sudan. The Rapid Support Forces militia had previously taken control of several oil fields in Kordofan and Darfur regions, but all of them went out of service. Therefore, they took control of the “Al-Ailifon” station, which is linked to the pipeline and works to activate it, as Sudanese oil contains a waxy substance to ensure pumping.

As a result, with the oil fields out of service, and the “Al-Ailifon” station and Jili and Al-Obeid refineries stopped, the militia entered Gezira State in the Um Alila region and then the fuel depots of the state. This may lead to the need to import oil to meet the requirements, causing significant economic losses due to the war expenses. The largest damage may be on the Rapid Support Forces, who might have to search for petroleum resources across the borders of their controlled areas, which they are currently doing, while the army has alternatives, though with higher transportation costs to deliver them to the areas it controls.

The Gezira Scheme, located in central Sudan in the clay plains between the Blue Nile and White Nile, from Sinnar to southern Khartoum, is one of the fundamental pillars of Sudan’s economy and food security since its establishment in 1925 due to its production of important crops that significantly contribute to providing food for the Sudanese people.

Reduction in Cultivated Areas

However, Walid Dalil confirmed that this project has been greatly affected by the ongoing war in Sudan since mid-April 2023. Many agricultural experts link the food crisis in Sudan to the war reaching the Gezira Scheme. Since the beginning of the rebel forces’ entry, thousands of farmers in the Gezira Scheme abandoned their farms and fled, which severely impacted the agricultural season, leading to a reduction in cultivated areas and the suspension of bank financing. Additionally, the lack of security and delays in the arrival of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and other necessary materials have led to a decline in productivity within the Gezira Scheme. He also noted the disruption of genetic resource banks and the displacement of agricultural inspectors and irrigation inspectors, whose vehicles were looted. These inspectors play a crucial role in guidance, awareness, and crop monitoring.

Challenges in Reconstruction

Real estate expert and businessman Mohamed Salah described the recapture of the city of Wad Madani by the Sudanese Armed Forces as a pivotal moment and an important step toward restoring stability and security in the country. He added in his speech to (Al-Akhbar) that this event brings with it many positive effects, including the return of security and stability, which encourages the return to normal life and contributes to rebuilding the community, strengthening trust in the state and the armed forces. It also enhances the state’s ability to protect its citizens and their property, opening the door to reconstruction and starting to rebuild what the war has destroyed, laying the foundation for a better future for the city and its people.

However, he cautioned about the challenges of the next phase of rebuilding the infrastructure, which has been severely damaged due to the conflict. He stated that efforts must begin immediately to address the social and economic damages caused by the conflict and to provide basic services to citizens, such as water, electricity, health, and education. He added, “This requires a collective effort from all parties, both governmental and popular, to work together in building a strong and stable new Sudan.”

The Key to Liberating Khartoum

For his part, the former Secretary-General of the Supreme Investment Council, Ambassador Ahmed Shawar, explained that liberating Wad Madani holds significant symbolic importance, especially since Madani is considered the heart of Sudan. He confirmed in his speech to (Al-Akhbar) that liberating Wad Madani is the key to liberating Khartoum and the rest of the areas.