Sudan’s civil administration… the inevitable path to ending chaos and building a viable economy
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan, it has become evident that the crisis has moved beyond a confrontation between armed groups. It has evolved into a systematic dismantling of what remained of the state’s institutions and administrative structure. Over time, it has become clear that relying on military force to resolve the conflict was a costly illusion that destroyed the economy, public services and the morale of the population. In the face of this collapse, institutional civil governance emerges as the only option capable of restoring Sudan’s stability, not as a political project for a particular faction, but as a national necessity to save what remains of the state and rebuild a sustainable economy that ensures citizens’ access to essential services and a dignified life.
The current reality in Sudan demonstrates that the country can no longer endure governance based on weapons or military dominance. Continuing on this path means extending chaos, deepening destruction and perpetuating a cycle of violence that drains society and resources. A professional civilian administration is the only system capable of managing public services, coordinating national efforts, establishing clear policies and restoring trust in state institutions. Any society, even one fragmented by war, needs an administrative body governed by the rule of law rather than armed coercion, guided by strategic planning rather than battlefield reactions.
The destruction of essential service institutions is not simply the result of administrative weakness but the direct consequence of the complete absence of a civil system that once formed the backbone of daily life. Hospitals have closed or operate under extreme strain, schools are suspended, universities have shut down and public infrastructure has collapsed under the pressure of mass displacement and scarce resources. In this vacuum, the need for a structured civil administration is more urgent than ever, as it is the only mechanism capable of restoring services professionally and transparently.
Restoring these services cannot rely on military deals or temporary agreements between factions. It requires a civil administrative body capable of managing emergencies first, and then transitioning gradually to a sustainable system that can revive normal life. Sudanese citizens want schools to reopen, hospitals to function, roads to be repaired and water to reach their homes. All these tasks require personnel, engineers, technicians, clear planning and controlled budgets, which are only achievable through a strong civil administration free from military interference.
Economically, the war has created a shadow economy that dominates national resources and drains what remains of state capabilities. Gold is smuggled out, crops bypass official channels, unauthorized groups impose taxes and customs, and public funds lack oversight. Under such conditions, building a productive and stable economy is impossible. Only civil governance can restructure the economy through transparent policies, financial accountability and the restoration of state control over national resources. A war economy cannot build a country; it reinforces networks of interests tied to instability, whereas a civilian economy allows Sudan to regain its natural role as a productive and competitive state.
Embracing a civil solution also means rebuilding trust between citizens and the state. Today, Sudanese people feel abandoned, seeing public services controlled by armed groups whose influence shifts with the battles. This chaos has destroyed the sense of security and deprived society of basic rights. However, trust can be restored. When citizens witness a civil institution functioning again, procedures being implemented transparently and services delivered without armed loyalties, confidence begins to grow and the relationship between state and society can be rebuilt.
A civil system does not imply excluding all parties or ignoring the complexity of the situation. It means reorganizing priorities and establishing clear rules for the state. Institutional governance places citizen welfare at its core, prioritizes stability and services, and builds an economy based on production rather than arbitrary levies. It creates an environment in which investors, farmers, industrialists and entrepreneurs can work without fear of sudden armed interference.
Sudanese society increasingly understands that the military option has reached its limits and that continuing to rely on force brings only more destruction. A growing conviction is taking shape: Sudan can only rise again through the return of civil governance, not as an opponent of the military, but as the professional structure capable of managing the state, rebuilding institutions and reorganizing the economy. Civil governance is not a mere slogan; it is a practical necessity imposed by the reality of collapse.
This transition requires clear political will and support from actors who can influence the course of the crisis. A comprehensive ceasefire must be guided by a civil framework competent to gradually reclaim state administration, form a professional transitional government, mobilize Sudanese expertise at home and abroad, and rebuild institutions from the ground up. Sudan cannot recover without a strong civil service, nor can it build a sustainable economy without state-supervised financial institutions or restore services without professional administrative management.
Sudan stands today at a decisive crossroads. One path leads to the continuation of armed chaos, escalating collapse and the gradual disappearance of state institutions. The other path embraces institutional civil governance that restores the state’s cohesion and gives citizens hope for a brighter future. This second choice is neither a luxury nor an idealistic aspiration; it is the only viable path to save Sudan from a bleak future and rebuild the nation on solid and durable foundations.
