Prosper Okoye
Sudan’s government has returned to Khartoum for the first time in nearly two years.
This marked a symbolic milestone after 1,000 days of conflict that have devastated the capital.
Prime Minister Kamel Idris described the move on Sunday as the arrival of a “government of hope,” pledging to restore essential services, including hospitals, schools, water, electricity, and sanitation.
Prime Business Africa reports that the government fled Khartoum in April 2023 after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized parts of the city.
Over the following years, troops loyal to army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane gradually recaptured neighbourhoods, declaring the city “liberated” in March 2025.
Authorities say more than one million residents have returned to Khartoum.
The United Nations warns that fighting continues in other regions, particularly in Kordofan, and the broader conflict is far from over.
The capital bears deep scars from the war. Many buildings, schools, and hospitals were destroyed, leaving the returning government with the enormous task of rebuilding infrastructure and restoring public trust.
The return to Khartoum is seen both as a practical step to govern from the capital and a symbolic signal to Sudanese citizens and the international community that the government is reclaiming its authority after years of chaos.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
