The Face of Truth: Restoring the State Begins with Parliament

Ibrahim Shaglawi

Nations that aspire to progress and development do not limit themselves to managing crises; rather, they seek to understand societal trends before making decisions.

Public opinion polling stands at the forefront of effective tools used to measure the public mood and anticipate citizens’ positions on issues of governance and state administration.

In this context, this article relies on the results of an important survey conducted by the “Arab Experts Center for Press Services and Public Opinion Studies,” in addition to monitoring opinion trends within Sudan through media outlets and discussion forums, which revealed an important reality: completing the construction of state institutions, foremost among them the legislative council, is no longer a deferred option, but a national necessity.

The importance of these findings lies in their timing.

Since 2019, Sudan has been experiencing a legislative vacuum, during which the parliamentary institution—one of the pillars of balance between powers—has been absent. This absence was not merely a gap in the structure of authority; it became a loophole that weakened the state’s framework, opening the door to elite conflicts and increasing the impact of external pressures, at a time when the country faces challenges where war intersects with the complexities of transition.

This issue also carries an important constitutional dimension. The 2019 Constitutional Document, amended in 2025, stipulates the necessity of forming a transitional legislative council as an essential part of the structure of power. This means that parliament is both a constitutional entitlement and a necessary pillar for restoring balance and granting legitimacy to decisions.

The absence of parliament has led to an exceptional reality in which legislative authority has been exercised temporarily by the Sovereignty Council and the Council of Ministers. Although this arrangement was understandable within the context of transitional conditions, its continuation for many years has created an imbalance, as major decisions are made in the absence of the most important authority representing the people, which grants decisions political depth and national legitimacy.

In this context, the meeting held by President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Port Sudan at the end of last January with the Democratic Bloc and political forces revived the deferred question of completing the institutions of governance in the country. During the meeting, al-Burhan requested political forces to present clear proposals regarding the formation of the legislative council and its timelines, signaling an attempt to open a political track parallel to the path of war.

However, this proposal quickly revealed the complexities of the scene. With the return of discussion about parliament, a clear divergence emerged among political forces. While some considered it a necessary step to complete transitional institutions, others warned of the risks of forming it through appointment or quota-sharing. Between these two positions, an important question arose: who has the right to represent society at this stage?

This divergence reflects a crisis of trust between society and political elites, after years of divisions that have weakened confidence in political mechanisms.

The survey results confirm this picture. They showed that the majority of participants support the establishment of a legislative council as a step toward stability, but at the same time, they do not trust the ability of current political alliances to form a council that truly represents them.

This paradox reveals the contours of public sentiment: a clear need for parliament, coupled with reservations about how it might be formed. Therefore, a broad trend has emerged favoring a council based on independent national competencies, with representation for youth, women, trade unions, and professional sectors, alongside balanced regional representation.

The results also showed notable consensus on selection criteria, with integrity, competence, and professional record topping the list of priorities, along with commitment to the unity of the country and the absence of involvement in corruption or violations. This reflects a desire to move beyond quota-based logic toward a model based on merit and responsibility.

However, achieving this model faces real challenges. Previous experiences have shown that the formation of transitional institutions is often governed by power balances rather than merit criteria. This explains public concern that parliament could turn into a new arena of conflict instead of being a tool for stability and the preservation of sovereignty.

Nevertheless, the legislative council remains one of the key gateways to restoring the state. The presence of a legislative institution can restore balance between powers, provide a legal framework for oversight and accountability, and grant decisions both internal and external legitimacy. It can also serve as a platform for organizing national dialogue on issues of war, peace, and reconstruction, while safeguarding the country’s sovereignty against external pressures.

From this perspective, parliament—if properly established—can be the turning point in the transition process. It is the bridge that reconnects the citizen with the state, the platform through which the will of society is translated into developmental policies, and the mechanism that protects the state and political decision-making from chaos and overreach.

Therefore, according to #The_Face_of_Truth, the question is no longer whether Sudan needs a legislative council, but how such a council can be established in a way that reflects the aspirations of society and protects the state from reproducing its crises. Ultimately, restoring the state does not begin only in battlefields; it begins with the institution that gives society’s voice its rightful place in decision-making authority. From this point, parliament becomes the first step on the path toward a stable state that accommodates all without exception.

Wishing you continued health and well-being.

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

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