Sudan says government is returning to Khartoum after years of war

A symbolic return to a capital ravaged by conflict

Sudan’s prime minister announced that the country’s government is returning to Khartoum, describing the move as the return of a “government of hope” after an extended period operating from a wartime capital. The announcement comes after the capital region—Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri)—endured prolonged fighting in the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Officials promised improvements in day-to-day services that residents depend on, including healthcare and hospital reconstruction, education, and utilities such as electricity, water and sanitation. But the scale of devastation is enormous: neighborhoods were besieged, artillery crossed the Nile for long stretches, and large parts of the city’s services have struggled to function.

Returnees face destroyed homes and broken services

The United Nations has reported significant returns to Khartoum over recent months, yet many families have found homes damaged or destroyed and civic systems barely operating. Authorities have also faced grim cleanup tasks, including dealing with makeshift cemeteries created during heavy fighting.

Aid groups continue to warn that the crisis extends well beyond the capital. Fighting in multiple regions, large-scale displacement and food insecurity have pushed humanitarian needs to extreme levels, and many communities remain vulnerable to fresh violence, disease and shortages.

• What happened: Sudan announced a return of government operations to Khartoum
• Why it matters: Khartoum is a political and symbolic center after years of war
• Reality on the ground: damaged infrastructure and limited public services
• Ongoing risk: displacement and humanitarian needs remain severe nationwide

For many Sudanese, the announcement signals a bid to project stability and momentum. Whether it changes daily life will depend on security conditions, the ability to restore utilities and hospitals, and whether renewed fighting undermines efforts to rebuild.