KHARTOUM – In a landmark moment for the war-torn nation, Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced on Sunday the official return of the government to the national capital, Khartoum.
The move marks the end of a nearly three-year period during which the state’s affairs were managed from the eastern coastal city of Port Sudan, following the violent outbreak of conflict on April 15, 2023.
Addressing a jubilant crowd in Bahri, north of Khartoum, Idris delivered a message of recovery and transition. “The government has returned to the national capital,” he declared, signaling a shift from emergency wartime administration to active reconstruction.
A Vision for 2026: The “Year of Peace”
Prime Minister Idris laid out an ambitious roadmap for the coming year, designating 2026 as Sudan’s “Year of Peace.” His address focused on two primary pillars:
- Reconstruction of Social Services:
- health and education sectors.
- A commitment to rebuild destroyed hospitals and rehabilitate schools.
- A specific focus on restoring the University of Khartoum, a historic institution heavily damaged during the fighting.
- Economic Stabilization:
- Plans to increase the Gross National Product (GNP).
- Aggressive measures to curb inflation and stabilize the national currency’s exchange rate.
The Long Road Back from Port Sudan
The government’s relocation to Port Sudan in late April 2023 was a desperate measure taken just days after fierce fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
For over two years, Port Sudan served as the temporary seat of power, housing the Sovereign Council, the Council of Ministers, and several key sovereign institutions. The return to the capital follows a significant shift in the security landscape:
- May 2025: The SAF declared Khartoum State cleared of RSF forces.
- Late 2025: A gradual reinstatement of state institutions began as security conditions showed relative improvement.
“The return is part of official efforts to restore administrative functions and public services… following a relative improvement in security conditions in some areas.“
The Humanitarian Context
While the return of the government offers a symbol of hope, the scars of the conflict remain deep. Khartoum witnessed some of the most intense urban warfare of the 21st century, resulting in widespread destruction of infrastructure and government buildings.
Beyond the brick and mortar, the human toll has been catastrophic:
- Casualties: Tens of thousands of lives lost.
- Displacement: Millions of Sudanese remain displaced, living in internal camps or as refugees in neighboring countries.
Despite the Prime Minister’s optimistic outlook for 2026, the government acknowledges that persistent security and humanitarian challenges remain in several parts of the country, and the process of “normalizing” life in a city that saw such “fierce battles” will likely take years.
