Latest news with #Abdelhamid
Eyewitness News
08-07-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
Crops wither in war-torn Sudan as power cuts cripple irrigation
KHARTOUM - Hatem Abdelhamid stands amid his once-thriving date palms in northern Sudan, helpless as a prolonged war-driven power outage cripples irrigation, causing devastating crop losses and deepening the country's food crisis. "I've lost 70 to 75 percent of my crops this year," he said, surveying the dying palms in Tanqasi, a village on the Nile in Sudan's Northern State. "I'm trying really hard to keep the rest of the crops alive," he told AFP. Sudan's agricultural sector - already battered by a two-year conflict and economic crisis - is now facing another crushing blow from the nationwide power outages. Since the war between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began in April 2023, state-run power plants have been repeatedly targeted, suffering severe damage and ultimately leaving farms without water. Like most Sudanese farms, Abdelhamid's depends on electric-powered irrigation - but the system has been down "for over two months" due to the blackouts. Sudan had barely recovered from the devastating 1985 drought and famine when war erupted again in 2023, delivering a fresh blow to the country's agriculture. Agriculture remains the main source of food and income for 80% of the population, according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Now in its third year, the conflict has plunged more than half the population into acute food insecurity, with famine already taking hold in at least five areas and millions more at risk across conflict-hit regions in the west, centre and south. The war has also devastated infrastructure, killed tens of thousands of people, and displaced 13 million. WIPED OUT A 2024 joint study by the United Nations Development Programme and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) found that nearly a third of rural households have lost irrigation and water access since the war began. Without electricity to power his irrigation system, Abdelhamid - like thousands of farmers across the country - was forced to rely on diesel-powered pumps. But with fuel scarce and prices now more than 20 times higher than before the war, even that option is out of reach for many. "I used to spend 10,000 Sudanese pounds [about four euros according to the black-market rate] for irrigation each time," said another farmer, Abdelhalim Ahmed. "Now it costs me 150,000 pounds [around 60 euros] because there is no electricity," he told AFP. Ahmed said he has lost three consecutive harvests - including crops like oranges, onions, tomatoes and dates. With seeds, fertilisers and fuel now barely available, many farmers say they won't be able to replant for the next cycle. In April, the FAO warned that "below average rainfall', and ongoing instability were closing the window to prevent further deterioration. A June study by IFPRI also projected Sudan's overall economic output could shrink by as much as 42% if the war continues, with the agricultural sector contracting by more than a third. "Our analysis shows massive income losses across all households and a sharp rise in poverty, especially in rural areas and among women," said Khalid Siddig, a senior research fellow at IFPRI.
Morocco World
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Moroccan international Yunis Abdelhamid set to join AS FAR
Rabat – Morocco's football club AS FAR has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Moroccan international defender Yunis Abdelhamid on a free-transfer deal that will bring the 37-year-old to Botola Pro once his contract with AS Saint-Étienne expires on June 30. Abdelhamid has already signed preliminary papers for a one-year contract and is expected in Rabat next week for medical tests and the formal presentation. Abdelhamid spent his entire professional life in France, amassing 439 senior appearances and 24 goals. He started with AC Arles, Valenciennes, Dijon, Stade de Reims, and, this past season, Saint-Étienne. The Moroccan defender became a regular starter at Reims, where he captained the side and logged 236 matches, helping Reims clinch the 2017-18 Ligue 2 title, which prompted them to Ligue 1. Even in 2024-25, an injury-managed campaign at Saint-Étienne, he started 16 league games and played 1,004 minutes, still ranking in the squad's top three for clearances and aerial duels won. New Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos, appointed in February, has pushed the club to add an experienced veteran who can strengthen AS FAR defense ahead of a third consecutive CAF Champions League run. Abdelhamid earned 16 caps for Morocco and was part of Walid Regragui's expanded squad for AFCON 2023. Playing in the Botola gives the veteran a chance to stay match-fit and ready if called up for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Tags: AS FARFootballMoroccosportsYunis Abdelhamid
