Face of Truth: Jaber Committee and New Khartoum
Ibrahim Shiglawy
Two days ago, the political and media arenas were abuzz with divergent interpretations of a decision made by Lieutenant General Ibrahim Jaber, a member of Sudan’s Sovereign Council and Head of the Reconstruction Committee, to suspend maintenance work on government buildings in Khartoum State.
Some viewed it as an administrative measure aimed at promoting governance, transparency, and performance control. Others interpreted it as a reflection of a deepening financial crisis. Unfortunately, most of the debates overlooked a crucial third dimension:
Does this decision signal a shift in how the state perceives the idea, role, and symbolism of the capital city?
Are we approaching a strategic vision to rebuild Khartoum as a political, architectural, and visual identity—one that draws from history while anticipating the shape of modern Sudan?
In my view, the decision, in both timing and substance, does not appear to be merely procedural. Rather, it reflects a shift in mindset within the Sudanese state’s approach to the capital’s future.
The suspension of maintenance cannot be understood solely from the perspective of financial prudence or avoiding waste on dilapidated facilities. Instead, it should be seen in light of a broader ambition to establish a “New Khartoum”—a capital on par with global cities, leveraging its prime location on the banks of the Blue and White Niles.
The challenge, therefore, is not just about constructing concrete structures or service institutions. It goes deeper—to reimagining the meaning of a capital city as the center of national decision-making, the cultural and civilizational face of the country, and a space that reflects the nature of power and the architecture of a modern state.
In this context, it would be a mistake to reduce the decision to technical discussions about maintenance contracts, possible corruption, or lack of transparency. The matter is inherently political—tied to the will to establish a capital that transcends colonial legacies and administrative improvisation, and moves toward a modern civic space, harmonized with regional and architectural contexts, capable of representing Sudan on the international stage.
Despite its devastation, the war has produced a rare opportunity to rethink the spatial foundations of the state. Destroyed and abandoned areas could become launchpads for a new urban vision—one that overcomes randomness and congestion, and that rationally redistributes civil and sovereign functions across the capital.
From this perspective, the recent decision can be seen as an early signal that Sudan may be transitioning from a phase of restoration to one of true foundational reform.
It seems that Jaber, from his position at the helm of the Supreme Committee for Creating a Conducive Environment for the Return of Citizens to Khartoum, embraces a vision that goes beyond maintenance—viewing it as a financial burden that adds no real value. Instead, he advocates for a new architectural project, grounded in thoughtful design, modern aesthetics, and a fresh mindset.
Here, the experience of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, deserves reflection. Emerging from one of the worst genocides in modern history in 1994, Kigali was once a modest and marginalized city. Yet, within two decades, it transformed into one of the cleanest and most organized capitals in Africa—not only through political will, but through a comprehensive urban vision that fused national reconciliation with modern planning, reflecting the dignity and aspirations of the Rwandan people.
The Kigali model is a powerful precedent that could be replicated in Khartoum, especially if this critical transitional moment is properly seized—not only through large budgets, but by breaking traditional patterns of thinking, and mobilizing national expertise in architecture, urban planning, and state visual identity.
The real challenge now is not merely to rebuild what was destroyed, but to redefine what must be. Sudanese architects and planners must lead the way in crafting a “New Khartoum” on solid aesthetic and functional foundations—blending the symbolism of a modern state with the citizen’s need for dignity and services.
From what we see as the #Face_of_Truth, we ask:
Can this decision become a genuine turning point in the relationship between Sudanese citizens and their capital?
Are we finally witnessing the birth of a city that neither shies away from receiving guests nor hesitates to host summits?
Perhaps the time has come to dream of a Khartoum worthy of us—a capital where we no longer resort to the homes of the wealthy for national receptions, but instead take pride in our official institutions and elegant public buildings, just as other nations take pride in their capitals.
Wishing you well and in good health,
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Shglawi55@gmail.com