Face of Truth: Sudan’s Water Security: Experts Sound the Alarm
Ibrahim Shglawi
Amid ongoing structural changes in Sudan’s state institutions—particularly involving the Ministries of Irrigation and Agriculture—water security emerges as a highly sensitive and strategically vital issue. In recent days, an in-depth technical and political debate has unfolded regarding the decision to merge the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources into the Ministry of Agriculture. Experts and specialists have issued growing warnings about the potentially negative consequences of this move on national water security, a cornerstone of Sudan’s national sovereignty.
Yesterday, I participated in an expanded symposium organized by the Delft Institute for Water Education Alumni Association. The event brought together over 118 specialists and researchers from the fields of water and agriculture to discuss the pros and cons of the merger. The symposium addressed critical issues, including the complex technical and administrative legacy of water management in Sudan. Currently, the ministry manages six major water reservoirs and hundreds of hydraulic structures that support strategic irrigation projects such as Gezira, Rahad, and New Halfa, in addition to other projects with completed studies such as Kenana, Rahad, and the Hawad Agricultural Project.
These essential technical roles make the Ministry of Water Resources a central authority in managing a strategic asset that goes far beyond water distribution. It intersects with sensitive regional sovereignty issues such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Nile Basin Commission.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Agriculture carries deep responsibilities for both domestic and regional food security, making it a pillar of economic and social stability. However, merging the two ministries—despite appearing administratively logical—poses serious risks, especially the marginalization of the water resources sector. This sector requires an independent entity with technical and political autonomy to ensure the continuity of complex national strategies.
Several speakers at the symposium—including former ministers and academic experts—emphasized that water is a sovereign resource intertwined with national security. They noted that previous merger experiments failed due to a lack of in-depth studies and institutional preparation. They stressed that the institutional stability of water management is essential to retaining technical staff and specialized expertise.
The symposium also warned that abolishing an independent Ministry of Water Resources could undermine Sudan’s international technical standing and complicate domestic coordination among the water, agriculture, energy, and environmental sectors. This threatens national water security and limits Sudan’s capacity to manage transboundary water issues—particularly pressing in light of Ethiopia’s recent announcement that construction of the GERD has been completed, with inauguration scheduled for September.
This sensitive geopolitical context highlights the magnitude of responsibility held by an independent Ministry of Water Resources. It must remain a sovereign and technical body capable of engaging with regional and international stakeholders, and addressing national challenges—especially the rehabilitation of damaged water infrastructure following a war that has shaken the very foundations of the state.
The symposium further recommended reversing the merger decision and proposed forming a Sovereign Council for Water. This council would be tasked with strategic planning and policymaking, involving representatives from all relevant sectors and reporting to the Sovereignty Council or the Council of Ministers. This would ensure effective coordination without compromising the identity or core functions of the water ministry.
As a central player in the Nile Basin, Sudan cannot treat water as a mere service sector. It must be recognized as a sovereign asset tied to critical domestic and regional interests. Merging the Ministry of Water Resources into the Ministry of Agriculture—especially at this critical moment—weakens Sudan’s ability to address major issues such as the GERD, climate change, and water-sharing agreements.
Amid these debates, a noteworthy proposal has surfaced: establishing a new “Ministry of Water Resources and Environment.” This ministry would oversee water, dams, water harvesting, groundwater, and environmental sustainability. This approach aligns with global trends in integrating water and environmental policy, while preserving technical independence and equipping Sudan with a modern institutional platform to tackle increasing water-related challenges.
Ultimately, this is not just about administrative restructuring—it’s about the future of a nation. Will the government seize this opportunity for genuine reform? Or will it continue dissolving sovereign institutions into broader entities in the name of administrative efficiency, at the expense of the country’s supreme national interest?
As we see it from the #Face_of_Truth, water security in Sudan is not just an administrative issue—it is a strategic axis that must not be compromised. Any reform in this field must be grounded in rigorous scientific studies and inclusive stakeholder participation, avoiding unilateral decisions that could weaken Sudan’s ability to safeguard its water rights, enhance regional stability, and confront future threats to this life-sustaining resource.
Wishing you wellness and safety
Monday, August 4, 2025
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