Face of Truth: Khartoum State: A Strategy for Restoring Civilian and Service Life
Ibrahim Shiglawi
As the war in Sudan nears its end with the victory of the Armed Forces over the Rapid Support Militia, major challenges lie ahead for the Sudanese state in rebuilding its institutions and reviving civilian and service life. This comes in the context of the return of large numbers of displaced people to the capital, Khartoum, and other war-affected cities. This reality necessitates the formulation of a comprehensive national plan to restart the wheels of state operations, with the participation of all ministries and public institutions while considering the specialization and available resources of each entity. This article discusses the importance of transitioning from the war phase to reconstruction and the restoration of civilian life, a mission that the Governor of Khartoum has acknowledged as difficult and complex.
Civil and service support is one of the key steps to achieving reconstruction and succeeding in the challenge faced by all war-affected Sudanese states, particularly Khartoum, given its demographic and service weight, as well as its role as the seat of government and state authority. Therefore, a clear strategy is essential to restore civilian and service life.
To achieve this, specialized service committees for civil support must be formed based on a comprehensive national vision. These committees will serve as a central tool for coordinating efforts among various ministries to restore essential services and rehabilitate vital facilities destroyed by the war. The proposed model is inspired by the traditional Sudanese concept of “Nafeer,” where collective resources and efforts are mobilized to achieve common goals. In parallel, the security concept of “preparing the state’s theater for war and its aftermath” can be applied through strategies that enhance stability and ensure the sustainability of services. This approach is particularly crucial given the rapid return of residents to Greater Omdurman and Bahri, soon to be followed by East Nile and Khartoum.
Therefore, it is essential to lay the foundations of this phase in an effective manner capable of absorbing the influx of citizens and the return of public life. A proposal has also emerged to establish a central committee for community support to oversee state affairs during the reconstruction phase. This committee would have broad responsibilities, including health, education, economy, agriculture, and vital infrastructure, alongside the reactivation of essential public services.
For instance, the rehabilitation of the energy and electricity sector is crucial to driving production and stimulating investments while ensuring power supply to homes, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. Similarly, the water sector plays a vital role in improving citizens’ lives, especially as the summer season approaches and certain areas struggle with water scarcity. Strengthening water security also helps mitigate health risks.
Additionally, the health sector, including hospitals and medical centers, requires urgent rehabilitation to ensure the availability of medicines and medical services, which are essential for saving lives and alleviating suffering. Focusing on these key sectors reflects the state’s commitment to restoring security and reinforces public confidence in the government’s ability to overcome the war’s consequences and reestablish stability.
Beyond that, relief efforts and facility rehabilitation are equally important. To ensure the effectiveness of any developmental program, a high-level national committee must be established by a decree from the Chairman of the Sovereign Council. This committee should operate within Sudanese laws and regulations while ensuring full coordination between the government and relevant entities to unify efforts and achieve shared goals.
A significant number of state employees have been unable to perform their duties due to the war. Now, the time has come for their return to actively contribute to restoring life to service institutions and public sector work. This can be achieved by integrating them into task forces alongside their counterparts in the private and government sectors. Non-traditional approaches must be adopted during this stage to tackle reconstruction challenges effectively and ensure swift response and engagement.
Despite the importance of forming community support committees, there are significant challenges that may hinder their implementation, primarily financial and administrative constraints. Reconstruction requires massive investments that can only be secured through strategic economic planning that mobilizes national resources, directly involves the private sector, and attracts international support. Additionally, managing these committees and coordinating efforts among various entities necessitates seamless cooperation among all stakeholders. Government employees can contribute their expertise to restoring ministries and developing emergency plans. These joint efforts represent a fundamental step toward rebuilding state institutions and accelerating stability and development.
Moreover, the youth brigades of Kata’ib Al-Baraa for civil support have already begun playing a crucial role in reconstruction. Youth, voluntary organizations, and state employees can take the lead in rehabilitating ministries and service facilities that ceased operations due to the war. As the driving force of change, young people can contribute through volunteer initiatives, vocational training, and awareness campaigns that promote social peace and reconciliation. Voluntary organizations also have a role to play in infrastructure rehabilitation, providing psychological and social support, and building capacities.
Based on the above and from the perspective of truth, rebuilding our country is not merely a political or administrative task but a national project requiring broad community participation and collaboration between the government and the people. The success of this process depends on formulating a long-term strategic vision that translates into flexible implementation plans addressing urgent needs while laying the groundwork for sustainable progress. Ultimately, Sudan’s strength lies in its ability to transform the ordeal of war into an opportunity for reconstruction, peace, and development. The model for this should begin in Khartoum State, where large numbers of citizens are already returning. Efforts must be exerted to make this return appealing, reinforcing the notion that Sudanese people are capable of restoring security, the state, and civilian life.
Wishing you well and in good health.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Shglawi55@gmail.com