Face of Truth: The Political and Security Context of Reconstruction
Ibrahim Shiglawi
Sudan today represents a unique case in the context of reconstruction. While many countries face challenges in building their traditional infrastructure, Sudan finds itself with the opportunity to rebuild from scratch after its infrastructure was almost completely destroyed due to the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces militia—backed regionally and supported by some political forces—since April 2023. This war was not limited to combat operations but extended to systematic destruction affecting various service and economic sectors.
This has created a prolonged humanitarian crisis and led to the displacement of millions. In this reality, reconstruction becomes one of the most urgent issues—not only to meet immediate needs but also to lay new developmental foundations that restore Sudan’s political and economic stability. This article seeks to discuss the importance of reconstruction, the role of state institutions, and the opportunities available.
Statements made earlier by Sudan’s Minister of Culture and Information, Khalid Al-Ayser, according to “The Governor’s Media Platform,” reveal the government’s policy in addressing this issue. He affirmed the government’s pursuit of strategic partnerships with friendly nations to support reconstruction efforts. However, this raises questions about Sudan’s ability to implement these plans in the absence of energy infrastructure and modern technology, highlighting the need for a comprehensive strategic vision that goes beyond emergency solutions.
The Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, emphasized during his participation in the World Urban Forum in Cairo—according to “Sudan News”—that reconstruction is not merely an engineering process but represents an existential battle for the Sudanese state. He pointed out that the systematic destruction carried out by the Rapid Support Forces militia, targeting national assets and the Sudanese people’s achievements, amounts to crimes against humanity. This necessitates national and international efforts to hold those responsible accountable, alongside rebuilding based on modern foundations that ensure sustainable development.
The World Urban Forum, in turn, highlighted the importance of adopting solutions that integrate humanitarian support with developmental planning by designing housing programs that enable displaced people to return to their original areas within an environment that provides them with the essentials for a dignified life.
Many Sudanese who were forced into displacement due to the war found themselves in a new reality in the countries they fled to. There, they discovered stable administrative and political environments and advanced developmental systems, which made them aspire to transfer these experiences to their homeland. This newfound awareness can serve as an important pillar in the reconstruction process, as it can be leveraged to attract Sudanese expertise from abroad to contribute to state-building on modern foundations.
Numerous international experiences have proven that reconstruction involves not only rebuilding physical infrastructure but also restoring social cohesion and enhancing economic opportunities. This was evident in Rwanda, which transformed the devastation of the 1994 genocide into comprehensive economic progress by investing in education and technology, making it one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. Somalia also provides an important model, where certain projects successfully integrated housing with social services and job creation, encouraging voluntary returns of displaced people.
For reconstruction to succeed in Sudan, a clear vision must be established, including the development of sustainable infrastructure using modern technology, which has proven effective in reducing costs and accelerating progress. Additionally, advanced planning and management methods should be adopted to maximize the utilization of available resources. Foreign and domestic investment must be an integral part of this process, necessitating a review of investment laws to align with current changes and the innovation of new financing mechanisms that make Sudan an attractive environment for capital.
Rural development is also a crucial factor in ensuring stability. Rebuilding cities alone will not suffice if it is not accompanied by improvements in rural services to guarantee the return of displaced people to their original communities instead of crowding into urban centers that are already under significant demographic and service pressure.
Reconstruction requires a pivotal role from relevant ministries. The Ministry of Energy and Electricity must work on rehabilitating the electrical grid, which suffered extensive destruction, while also developing renewable energy and reconsidering nuclear energy projects that Sudan had previously made significant strides in. Energy will be a decisive factor in any future industrial or technological revival. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation faces a major challenge in repairing agricultural project networks, rehabilitating damaged dams and irrigation canals, and adopting new policies to maximize water resource utilization, especially considering the changes brought by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Regarding infrastructure, the Ministry of Roads and Bridges is responsible for rebuilding the roads and bridges connecting cities and villages, which is essential for ensuring the flow of trade and services. Additionally, redesigning cities with modern urban planning that considers population needs and future expansion is necessary. In the communications sector, restoring digital infrastructure and rehabilitating telecommunication networks will contribute to enhancing digital transformation, enabling a more efficient management of the reconstruction process and the development of technical platforms to monitor projects.
Khartoum, as the most affected city by the war, faces a particular challenge in accommodating its population and organizing reconstruction efforts. This requires reconsidering the distribution of industries outside the capital and upgrading service facilities such as schools, hospitals, and transport networks to ensure the sustainability of services. The economic losses Sudan has suffered due to the war, as announced by Finance Minister Dr. Jibril Ibrahim in a statement reported by “SUNA,” amount to approximately $100 billion, with expectations of a higher figure as the conflict continues. This means that the cost of reconstruction will exceed this amount, considering the damages to citizens’ properties and productive infrastructure.
This calls for a reassessment of how national resources—such as gold, livestock, and agriculture—are utilized to fund reconstruction projects without excessive reliance on foreign financing, which often comes with conditions that may not align with Sudan’s strategic interests.
As we see it from the face of truth, reconstruction is not merely an engineering or economic process; it is a comprehensive national project that rebuilds trust between the state and its citizens. It requires high-level coordination between government institutions and the private sector, along with international support. Most importantly, the success of this process will not be achieved without relying on national expertise capable of leading this critical phase with a spirit of national responsibility, overcoming the impacts of war, and restoring Sudan to a path of development and stability. This is the political and security context of reconstruction that can lead to the country’s revival.
Wishing you well and in good health.
Monday, March 3, 2025
Shglawi55@gmail.com