As Sudan marks more than 1,000 days of civil war, Prime Minister Kamel Idris has announced the official return of the government to the capital, Khartoum, signaling a major political and symbolic milestone.
“We are back today,” Idris said on Sunday, describing the move as the return of a “government of hope” to the nation’s seat of power.
The government had relocated to Port Sudan in April 2023 after Khartoum was seized by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Following nearly two years of fierce urban fighting, troops loyal to army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane gradually regained control of the capital, declaring its full “liberation” in March 2025.
Appointed prime minister two months later, Idris has pledged to restore essential public services and rebuild critical infrastructure damaged by the conflict. His priorities include the rehabilitation of hospitals and schools, as well as the restoration of water, electricity, and sanitation systems.
More than one million residents have already returned to Khartoum, raising hopes of recovery. However, the United Nations has cautioned that the war is not over, noting continued clashes between army forces and the RSF in the Kordofan region.
