On April 15, 2023, Khartoum, Sudan's capital, experienced clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to casualties and a power struggle between SAF's Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF's Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has disrupted basic services and significantly impacted information and communication technologies (ICT) and digital transformation efforts in Sudan. Frequent power outages necessitate generators for communication infrastructure, with only 40% of the population having access to the national grid. Network disruptions are common, with MTN Sudan experiencing outages and government-ordered internet cuts. Data centers have been damaged, affecting essential internet services, and the banking system has been offline for months. Despite the lack of data localization laws, many Sudanese websites are hosted abroad, and there is no specific data protection law in Sudan. The conflict's extension to Khartoum has uniquely impacted the city's role as a service hub, emphasizing the need to maintain ICT infrastructures and workforce.

The article discusses the consequences of a conflict on data centers and internet-related services. It highlights the challenges faced by data center operators who have lost access to their data and facilities, resulting in the failure of various critical online services. The focus is on the technological and current affairs aspects of the situation, examining the impact of the conflict on the digital infrastructure.

Sudan experienced a second COVID-19 wave in November, with a significant increase in cases and deaths, including the loss of prominent figures like former Prime Minister Sadiq al-Madi. The crisis was exacerbated by a pharmaceutical shortage and a strike by resident doctors demanding better working conditions and permanent jobs. The Ministry of Health implemented measures to avoid a lockdown, while Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok stated the government's intention to avoid a second lockdown despite the severity of the pandemic. The doctors' strike affected 64 hospitals and health centers, leading to a shortage of medical services. The pharmaceutical crisis, worsened by the pandemic, has led to a dire shortage of medications and oxygen, with citizens struggling to find necessary drugs.

A growing trend of internet shutdowns and digital media clampdowns is observed in several African countries, often coinciding with school exams, mass protests, or elections. Guinea experienced a complete internet shutdown during a constitutional referendum that allowed President Alpha Conde to run for a third term. Sudan also saw mobile internet blackouts during school exams. Tanzania throttled internet services before the presidential election, which was criticized for falling below international standards. In Nigeria, the #EndSARS movement against police brutality led to protests and a subsequent government threat to clamp down on social media. These actions raise concerns about the state of democracy and freedom of expression in Africa.

Sudan's rainy season has led to disastrous flooding, with the Bout Dam collapse displacing thousands and destroying over 1,200 houses. The Sudanese Red Crescent Society reported at least four deaths and significant property damage across various regions. The government's historical inability to address the annual floods has been highlighted, with current efforts involving local and international aid, emergency committees, and infrastructure planning. Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok detailed government preparedness and response on Twitter, emphasizing the heaviest rainfall in 30 years and the need for long-term urban planning solutions.