KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan’s military‑led government has officially returned to the capital after nearly three years of exile in Port Sudan, marking a symbolic moment in the country’s brutal civil war.
Prime Minister Kamil Idris declared on Sunday that the “government of hope” was back in Khartoum and pledged to restore basic services for residents battered by years of fighting.
Background: War and Occupation
- The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) forced the army out of Khartoum in 2023 when civil war erupted between RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan.
- The army recaptured the capital in March 2025, a major breakthrough in the conflict.
- During RSF occupation, residents described mass looting and fighters seizing civilian homes.
Humanitarian Toll
- Roughly five million people fled Khartoum at the height of the war, according to the UN.
- Huge swathes of the city remain in ruins, with electricity, water, healthcare, and education barely functioning.
- Since 2023, at least 150,000 people have died, while 12 million have been displaced nationwide.
- The UN has described Sudan’s war as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Sudan Government’s Pledge
Idris promised urgent work to restore services and declared 2026 a “year of peace.” But skepticism remains, as both the army and RSF have been accused of atrocities, and international mediation efforts have repeatedly failed.
Regional and International Dimensions
- Foreign powers have fueled the conflict by supplying weapons to both sides.
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has faced scrutiny over alleged support for the RSF, though it denies the claims.
- The war has destabilized Sudan’s neighbors and complicated regional diplomacy.
Outlook
Khartoum’s return to government control is a symbolic victory for Burhan’s military, but rebuilding trust and infrastructure will be far harder. With millions displaced and services in collapse, Sudan’s path to peace remains uncertain.