Sudan: Livestock Wealth Under Fire

Sudan Media Forum

El-Obeid, 10 March 2026 (Jubraka News) – Sudan’s livestock sector has long been one of the pillars of the national economy. It contributes nearly one-third of the country’s GDP, supplies both domestic and international markets, and serves as a primary source of income for about 40 percent of the population.

However, since the outbreak of war in April 2023 and the escalation of military operations in Darfur and Kordofan, the sector has faced unprecedented shocks affecting production, animal health, supply chains, and exports. As a result, the future of one of Sudan’s most important productive sectors is now under serious threat.

Before the war began, pastoralist movements were active across vast grazing areas stretching from Um Badr and Hamrat al-Sheikh in the north to Bahr al-Arab and the Nuba Mountains in the south, with herds moving throughout the year. During the war, however, grazing areas shrank significantly, forcing herds to concentrate in limited zones and creating severe water shortages. Traditional wells (known locally as dawankis) could no longer provide sufficient water due to fuel shortages, which raised the cost of watering livestock. At the same time, markets for selling male sheep—often used to cover herders’ expenses—became unavailable.

Direct military confrontations in areas between Al-Khuwei and An-Nuhud also led to the death of large numbers of animals due to gunfire and exploding shells falling directly on herds, in addition to fires that destroyed grazing lands.

Another segment of livestock is tied to commercial trade destined for markets in Darfur and Kordofan. After herds are assembled and driven eastward, they normally reach quarantine stations in Al-Khuwei, Al-Rahad, and Bara, where they are prepared for export before being transported to ports on the Red Sea.

According to an analytical report published by the Ater Network, citing the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission and international research papers, Sudan’s livestock sector included about 111.8 million head of animals, including sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. The sector previously supplied around 90 percent of domestic meat demand and represented a major source of foreign currency through organized exports—particularly sheep, camels, and cattle—to markets such as Jeddah and Cairo.

Impact of War on Livestock Trade

Hussein Osman, a livestock trader in Kordofan since 2008, says the war has completely disrupted the export system, which previously relied on a well-organized logistical chain including livestock collection in local markets, veterinary inspection, transportation to export ports, and shipping through specialized maritime companies.

He added that road closures, rising costs, and security risks halted buying and selling and effectively froze exports. New fees, along with difficulties in transportation and insurance, have caused significant losses for both herders and traders.

As the conflict expanded and areas along livestock migration routes fell under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) while others remained under the Sudanese army, the sector encountered major obstacles. Road closures prevented the transportation of export livestock, while herds were increasingly exposed to systematic looting and theft, further raising operational costs.

Amid these challenges, armed individuals known locally as “mutawwifin” emerged. Typically from the same regions, they are hired to escort and protect herds during their journeys in exchange for agreed payments from herd owners.

Nevertheless, livestock have continued to face theft and looting, particularly due to the presence of so-called “gates” along migration routes. These checkpoints are often run by armed tribal groups that collect fees, and in areas under RSF control, herds are sometimes detained and prevented from passing until large payments are made.

Veterinary Challenges

Yusuf Nawai Al-Badri, Director of the Livestock Sector in South Kordofan, noted that military operations have forced herders to concentrate in eastern parts of the state. The Al-Qoz locality has become the main livestock hub, currently holding about 12 million head of animals.

He explained that veterinary coverage faces serious difficulties and currently reaches no more than 30 percent of the total herds, even after some humanitarian organizations intervened to support the sector. Weak coverage places an additional burden on local authorities, particularly with disrupted supply chains and closed roads. Despite this, traditional migration routes (marahil) continue to function to some extent, and the search for alternative routes has helped herders protect their animals.

Later in the conflict, the RSF leadership issued a decision banning the movement of agricultural and livestock exports from Kordofan and Darfur to areas controlled by the Sudanese army. This forced traders to seek alternative routes toward the north, particularly through Al-Dabba via Al-Mazrub—areas where water is scarce, further increasing costs, in addition to high transport expenses.

Looting, Smuggling, and Shrinking Pastures

A livestock expert told Jubraka News that military operations forced herders to abandon official migration routes, reducing access to grazing lands. Both regions have witnessed widespread livestock looting and increased animal deaths due to disrupted access to pasture and water.

At the same time, smuggling networks have become increasingly active, moving livestock across borders to neighboring countries, taking advantage of strong demand and shortages there.

Concerns About Informal Activities

In North Darfur, a young resident of El Fasher reported seeing large numbers of livestock along the road between Tawila and Qarni, a journey of about three hours by car. This reflects a high concentration of herds in areas that, according to current field realities, fall under RSF control.

Observers fear that some livestock transportation and sales may be taking place outside official frameworks governing veterinary quarantine and animal health due to weak oversight.

Some analysts believe that any exports outside official protocols could be conducted through desert routes toward neighboring countries or through unmonitored crossings. However, these reports could not be independently verified.

A Sector Under Severe Pressure

The war in Darfur and Kordofan has not only undermined security and political stability but has also struck at the heart of Sudan’s agricultural and environmental economy. The livestock sector is under immense pressure due to halted exports, shrinking grazing lands, rising livestock mortality, and increased smuggling and informal trade.

With the largest herds now concentrated in limited areas and veterinary coverage severely restricted, restoring the sector and strengthening food security will depend largely on improved security conditions, reopening roads, and stabilizing animal health and export policies.

Despite these challenges, Sudan’s livestock sector remains a critical economic driver. Yet it now faces unprecedented difficulties that require urgent and coordinated responses from the government, local and international organizations, and pastoralist communities.

• The Sudan Media Forum and its member institutions are publishing this report, prepared by Jubraka News, to highlight the severe damage caused by the war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces to the livestock sector—particularly in Kordofan and Darfur, where large-scale military operations continue.

Military operations have forced herders to abandon known grazing routes, exposed them to widespread livestock looting, and increased animal mortality due to limited access to pasture and water. At the same time, livestock smuggling networks have expanded, taking advantage of demand and resource shortages in neighboring countries.