Face of Truth: Features of the Government of Foundation and Transition
Ibrahim Shglawi
The appointment of Dr. Kamal Idris as Prime Minister comes at a pivotal political moment in Sudan’s history, as he faces the task of re-establishing the state from scratch. After years of collapse and political divisions, the mission of the new government appears to be akin to a comprehensive rescue operation that requires bold decisions and a rational restructuring of the governing institutions, while achieving new balances guided by the interests of Sudan.
Since the fall of the Al-Bashir regime in 2019, Sudan has been staggering under overlapping crises: legislative vacuum, economic deterioration, security fragility, and social disintegration, which peaked with the recent war that deepened the wounds and brought back questions of transition and state-building.
Idris’s appointment came amid the absence of an effective legislative council and the political forces’ retreat into internal zero-sum conflicts, along with attempts by armed movements to retain influential ministries despite the expiration of mandates under the Juba Agreement. This raises a question about the feasibility of achieving a balance between re-establishing the state and representing these factions.
Amid these challenges, Idris emerges as an intelligent, independent, and consensus-driven figure with international standing, capable of maneuvering within the available spaces to build a new path, even if gradually.
One striking indicator of the anticipated government’s approach is the leaked information about structural adjustments in the executive apparatus, including the merging of the ministries of oil, electricity, and dams into a single ministry. This reflects a direction toward integrating the energy sector and achieving efficiency in resource management—a necessary move given the economic downturn and declining energy services, which are considered pillars of reconstruction and an entry point for attracting foreign capital.
Similarly, the merging of the ministries of irrigation, water resources, and agriculture under one umbrella indicates an awareness of the vital link between water management and food security, especially after the deterioration witnessed in irrigation infrastructure and the absence of governing strategies, alongside conflicts over natural resources and the decline in agricultural production.
There is also talk of the return of the Ministry of Human Resources and Labor, a clear indication of the government’s intention to address the issue of civil service reform and regulate the labor market, as part of a broader strategy to achieve social justice and job stability.
It is likely that a Ministry of Technology, Environment, and Renewable Energy will be introduced, marking a qualitative shift in the Sudanese state’s vision for the post-war era. For the first time, the government seeks to align economic development with digital transformation and environmental challenges, thereby supporting the move toward building a sustainable knowledge economy.
As for the Ministry of Human Rights and Legal Affairs, it represents a response that reflects the state’s commitment to reforms that address violations, rebuild trust with citizens, and link justice with sovereignty and the rule of law. These changes reflect a rational approach to state management that goes beyond the logic of bloated cabinets and traditional quotas, heading instead toward streamlining and functional integration—a necessary step in light of limited resources and a deteriorating administrative structure.
Despite this ambition to restructure the executive apparatus, the political scene remains complex. According to leaks, the expected government will allocate seven ministries to the armed movements that signed the Juba Agreement, without including the Ministry of Finance, which has been a point of contention for years. This step reflects an attempt to balance involving these forces in governance and the need to free financial institutions from partisan interests.
In this context, statements by the head of the Justice and Equality Movement, Dr. Jibril Ibrahim, affirmed the importance of giving the cabinet formation sufficient time to ensure effective representation. He said after his meeting with Idris: “I discussed with him how public affairs can proceed quickly and seriously. The Prime Minister made great efforts to understand the various aspects and is moving in the right direction,” according to “Al-Khabar Network.” This statement reflects a rapprochement between the armed movements and the Prime Minister and opens the door for further understandings in the coming phase.
In light of this equation, it seems clear that Dr. Kamal Idris may adopt a tactical approach in announcing the cabinet formation, in an attempt to buy time and build broader consensus with political blocs to emphasize the idea of government independence. Informed sources indicated that some portfolios are still under negotiation, with prominent names emerging that have extensive experience in several professional fields, which justifies the delay in forming the government.
Notably, Idris’s movements were not confined to closed rooms, but extended to the field, where he visited sovereign security institutions such as the intelligence service, police, and armed forces, in addition to meetings with members of the Sovereignty Council, both military and civilian. He also visited citizens and performed Eid prayers among them, signifying his desire to gain direct popular legitimacy away from the quarreling elites.
The Prime Minister’s success in his mission depends on his ability to transcend the logic of quotas and impose the logic of the state over the logic of spoils. It also depends on launching real reforms that rebuild trust between citizens and governing institutions and put Sudan on the path to recovery.
In light of what “Face of Truth” presents, it can be said that Kamal Idris’s government represents a serious attempt to redefine the relationship between the state and society—by reducing the number of ministries and creating new ones that reflect post-war priorities. The success of this experiment remains dependent on the Prime Minister’s ability to build a cohesive and harmonious team capable of translating this ambition into practical policies. This government will either mark the beginning of a new foundation or be just another stop in the path of failed transitions that have burdened the nation and its people.
Wishing you well and in good health.
Monday, June 9, 2025
Shglawi55@gmail.com