Face of Truth: The Return of Government Ministries to Khartoum
Ibrahim Shiglawi
Yesterday, the plane carrying the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces landed at Khartoum Airport, marking the first flight to be received since the outbreak of the war. This step reflects the restoration of control and the securing of vital facilities. Following this, he inspected the forces at the Republican Palace, reaffirming the state’s presence in sovereign centers.
This is a strategic signal that necessitates a sense of responsibility and a race among ministries and public institutions to reclaim their position in the new national scene following the liberation of the Republican Palace and Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces militia. The full return of all ministries to resume their work after the Eid al-Fitr holiday should become a pivotal and mandatory objective in this phase, which cannot be postponed. The restoration of land is only complete with the restoration of its role in leading the next stage, assessing damages, and recovering properties.
The decision to move back to the liberated capital at this time is not merely a bureaucratic procedure; it is a consolidation of national sovereignty, confirming that the state has returned to its center and that security is not a temporary condition but a reality imposed by the armed forces and reinforced by an organized institutional framework. In this context, the responsibility falls on federal ministries and all state employees to align with this transformation and fully prepare to resume their duties from the heart of Khartoum, supporting the state, stabilizing security, and honoring the victory achieved by the army, all regular forces, and mobilized citizens.
It is well known that recovery happens in stages, a precise description of the state’s path to healing after a brutal war where conspiracy was evident. No matter how significant a military victory is, its impact remains incomplete unless it is reinforced by civil state institutions that restore normal life and send confidence-building messages to citizens at home and abroad that Khartoum has returned, and with it, the state. This is a living example of the slogan “One People, One Army”, as supporting the Battle of Dignity requires the collective efforts of both military and civilian sectors.
In this context, the initiative taken by the Ministry of Minerals stands as one of the first indicators of this recovery. The ministry directed its various arms to form task forces to inventory and assess assets and facilities at its headquarters in Khartoum, especially in areas recently secured by the armed forces. This step was not limited to inspection and evaluation but was accompanied by a clear security plan, funded by the ministry, to safeguard sites through the Mining Security Police. This reflects an understanding that resuming operations is among the most critical priorities in rebuilding the state.
The Ministry of Minerals is not alone in this direction. The Ministry of Urban Development previously announced the official relocation of its headquarters to Khartoum, becoming the first federal institution to take this bold step. It initiated its work by beginning repairs on Shambat and Halfaya Bridges and all roads damaged by the war. This move can be seen as both a sovereign and administrative decision with significant political and developmental implications, implicitly announcing that Khartoum is now secure enough for institutional work to resume.
Likewise, the Ministry of Justice has resumed its operations in Omdurman from the Sudanese Employers Federation headquarters, in coordination with Khartoum State authorities. Its legal department has begun its work in safe zones, with a dedicated team of legal advisors.
The service sectors are also following the same path. The visit of the General Director of Sudan’s Electricity Company to the Gereif Power Stations complex and his on-site assessment of the damage inflicted on Gereif 3 Project is clear evidence that the survey and rehabilitation phase has already begun. This is not only because the station is crucial for electricity generation but also because its restoration represents the resumption of national initiative in a strategically targeted sector during the war.
In the same vein, Siqa Mills has resumed operations for the first time since the war began, following the liberation of its site in Bahri. The reopening of the mills is not just about providing flour to meet people’s food needs but signifies the restart of the economic engine, reducing service burdens, and preparing the environment for citizens to return.
All these steps confirm that Khartoum has not only been militarily recovered but is now being reclaimed administratively and institutionally. The convergence of military and civilian efforts will accelerate the pace of recovery. Other ministries, government institutions, and the private sector must follow the example of the Ministries of Minerals, Urban Development, and Justice, as well as the electricity and milling sectors. Any ministry hesitant to return leaves a vacuum that could be exploited to restore chaos and reinforce the notion of conspiracy and weak national will.
Thus, as we see from #Face_of_Truth, the challenge in the next phase is not only securing Khartoum for the return of citizens but consolidating this security through active civilian work, ensuring that stability becomes a tangible reality rather than an empty slogan. Therefore, the return of institutions is not merely an administrative decision as some might think, but a sovereign national decision that translates the army’s victory into a full-fledged victory for the state and all its institutions, ensuring the preservation, unification, and advancement of the nation towards stability, security, and peace.
Wishing you well and in good health.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Shglawi55@gmail.com