In a significant move signaling the gradual return to stability, Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced the government’s return to Khartoum after nearly three years of operations from Port Sudan. This decision comes amidst ongoing efforts to reconstruct the city devastated by civil conflict, highlighting the resilience of the Sudanese leadership and the population’s desire for peace and recovery after a tumultuous period.
Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris has officially announced the government’s return to Khartoum, marking a pivotal step in the nation’s recovery after nearly three years of operating from its wartime capital, Port Sudan. This announcement comes following the army’s recapture of the capital city from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as the government seeks to restore order and normalcy amidst the remnants of conflict.
“Today, we return, and the Government of Hope returns to the national capital,” Idris stated to reporters during a press conference in Khartoum. The capital, which has endured the ravages of war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF since April 2023, has faced extensive destruction with many of its essential services in disarray. Prime Minister Idris emphasized the government’s commitment to improving public services, with promises to enhance healthcare, reconstruct hospitals, and improve water, electricity, and sanitation services for the citizens.
For nearly two years, Khartoum, along with its neighboring districts of Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri), served as an active battleground, resulting in significant displacement and suffering among its residents. As per United Nations data, between March and October, approximately 1.2 million people returned to Khartoum, only to find a city marked by devastation, with homes and infrastructure severely damaged and neighborhoods disrupted by makeshift cemeteries.
The war has inflicted heavy casualties, with estimates suggesting tens of thousands have died in the capital alone. However, exact figures remain elusive, as many families have had to resort to informal burial practices. The United Nations has estimated that rehabilitating Khartoum’s vital infrastructure will require around 0 million.
In recent months, the Sudanese government has initiated some cabinet meetings in Khartoum and launched early phases of reconstruction efforts. Although relative calm has returned to parts of the city, the tension remains palpable, as the RSF has conducted drone strikes targeting key infrastructure.
Simultaneously, battles continue in various regions of Sudan. The RSF has advanced into the Kordofan area following their successful displacement of the army from its last stronghold in Darfur last year. The Sudanese military reported substantial progress in countering the RSF, claiming significant losses inflicted on them during recent operations in Darfur and Kordofan. They stated that their forces successfully destroyed approximately 240 combat vehicles belonging to the RSF, although independent verification of these claims is currently unavailable.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of approximately 11 million people, creating one of the world’s most extensive humanitarian crises, characterized by acute hunger and instability. Recent assessments by the UN labeled el-Fasher in North Darfur as a “crime scene,” shedding light on the severe atrocities committed during the RSF’s control of the city. Survivors have recounted harrowing experiences of mass killings and detentions in the aftermath of the RSF’s takeover.
As Sudan navigates this challenging period of recovery, the focus remains on rebuilding not just the physical structures, but also the spirit and resilience of its communities, as they come together to forge a path forward towards peace and stability.
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