Face of Truth: We Met on University Avenue

Ibrahim Shiglawy

Today, Sudanese universities are reclaiming their pioneering role in enlightenment, awareness, and rebuilding the national project. In this spirit, the words of poet Abdel Majeed Haj Al-Amin, immortalized by the voice of Abdel Karim Al-Kabli, are evoked:
“Khartoum rose in the dark of night, healing those wounds with resolve…”
And once again, people meet on “University Avenue”, where the spirit of national struggle and societal renaissance—historically led by universities—remains alive, bearing witness to the nation’s journey.

Yesterday, the transitional Prime Minister, Dr. Kamal El-Tayeb Idris, issued a directive to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for universities to return to the capital, Khartoum, after a forced two-year suspension due to the war that erupted in April 2023. That war was triggered by a failed coup led by the Rapid Support Forces militia and supported by regional and local backers.
This moment marks a pivotal turning point, reflecting the intersection of political, social, and educational transformations in Sudan.

This decision cannot be viewed in isolation from broader efforts to rebuild the state amid a reality marked by fragility, complexity, and multiple challenges. It also signifies a determined attempt to restore Khartoum’s symbolism as a center of sovereignty, knowledge, and stability, reinforcing the legitimacy of the state and its academic institutions.

This return should not be seen merely as an administrative measure but as part of a larger political project to revive the state, anchored by the universities’ deep-rooted national and intellectual significance in Sudanese collective memory. Universities, as spaces for dialogue, critical thinking, and student activism, remain among the most influential institutions capable of reshaping public sentiment and envisioning a new future—particularly in moments where politics, society, and symbolic meaning converge.
Thus, universities bear a profound responsibility in leading efforts toward stability, peace, and societal cohesion.

The importance of this decision is further underscored by its timing, coinciding with broader signals of the government’s intent to gradually shift back from the interim capital, Port Sudan, to Khartoum. This move aims to restore the capital’s centrality as the hub of national decision-making and civic life. Within this context, the return of universities can be seen as a practical and symbolic step toward reconciling the long-divided civil and military components of governance, and realigning public consciousness around a shared national identity.

However, this aspiration—despite its merits—collides with harsh realities: the fragile infrastructure of universities, persistent security concerns, and the lack of a comprehensive plan to ensure a safe and sustainable educational environment. These challenges have triggered division within the academic community, as several professors and students have voiced their concerns about returning without sufficient guarantees, even as the Ministry of Higher Education appears committed and attentive to the matter.

This return also raises serious questions about the state’s readiness to fulfill its obligations toward universities and their students, particularly regarding classroom and laboratory rehabilitation, the provision of a secure learning environment, and efforts to ease financial burdens on students. The ongoing exodus of academic talent abroad further compounds the crisis, threatening the collapse of the higher education system and undermining the state’s institutional and intellectual rebuilding, unless a genuine reform approach is adopted—one driven by national consensus and elite engagement in restoring the educational process.

Accordingly, there is a pressing need for strategic partnerships with the private sector, civil society, and international partners to provide the financial and technical resources required for reconstruction. Universities are not isolated entities; they are vital organs of the state that require a nurturing environment to ensure their sustainability and strengthen their role in national recovery.

The return of universities to Khartoum is not merely a resumption of academic activity; it is a true test of the state’s ability to deliver practical responses and rebuild trust with communities—especially the youth, who remain the most affected by war and the most hopeful for an inclusive national future that re-integrates them into a revivalist project that reflects their aspirations.

As we see it from this #Face_of_Truth, this return marks a defining moment in the path toward reconstruction. But it demands more than slogans and declarations—it requires a coherent political vision, conscious societal partnership, and serious investment in education as a tool for social transformation and national reconciliation.
Only then can universities reclaim their historic stature as beacons of knowledge, centers of intellectual radiance, and engines of social revival.

Wishing you well and in good health.
Wednesday, June 17, 2025
Shglawi55@gmail.com