Sudan Prime Minister, Dr. Kamil El-Tayib Idris, has ordered the reopening of universities in the capital, Khartoum, signalling a cautious step toward restoring normalcy in the war-torn nation.
In an official memo to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Idris instructed a thorough assessment of damages sustained by university campuses and research centres during the conflict. The directive emphasises the urgent need for repairs and rebuilding efforts before academic activities resume.
The brutal civil war, which erupted in April 2023, has devastated Sudan’s education infrastructure, particularly in Khartoum State, where many institutions were destroyed or abandoned. The Prime Minister’s move reflects a broader push for recovery and reconciliation after more than a year of violent conflict.
As part of the reconstruction agenda, Dr. Idris also tasked the National Centre for Curricula and Educational Research with revising school materials to include teachings that promote peace, national unity, and the rejection of hate speech—an effort aimed at healing the deep divisions torn open by the war.
No official reopening date has been announced, as the government prioritises safety assessments and curriculum reform.
The war has claimed at least 24,000 lives—though observers believe the true death toll is much higher—and displaced over 13 million people, including 4 million who fled to neighbouring countries. The United Nations has described Sudan’s crisis as the world’s worst humanitarian disaster, with famine now gripping parts of the country.
Reports by the UN and international human rights organizations have documented widespread atrocities throughout the conflict, including mass rape and ethnically targeted killings, especially in Darfur. These crimes are considered grave violations of international law, with several incidents classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Dr. Idris’s decision to revive higher education institutions marks a fragile but critical step in Sudan’s long journey toward peace and national restoration.
