Reconstruction underway in Khartoum even as war in Sudan continues
## Construction and Reconstruction in Khartoum Amid Ongoing Conflict
Construction and Reconstruction in Khartoum Amid Ongoing Conflict
Despite the ongoing civil war in Sudan, reconstruction efforts are underway in the capital, Khartoum. The army-backed government has announced plans for a gradual return to the city.
The city has seen significant clean-up activities, with many roads cleared and debris removed. Cranes are now visible across the skyline, indicating active construction work.
The army regained control of Khartoum in March from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with whom they have been in conflict for nearly three years.
Prime Minister Kamil Idris' government, which has been operating from Port Sudan, approximately 700 kilometers away, is now involved in daily tours of the reconstruction sites, aiming to restore normalcy.
Despite the ongoing civil war in Sudan, reconstruction efforts are underway in the capital, Khartoum.
Although government headquarters have been refurbished, many ministries remain abandoned. On Liberty Street, a major commercial area in Khartoum, only a few looted shops have reopened. Business owners face challenges due to demands for repayment for goods destroyed during the conflict.
Since the army's retaking of Khartoum, more than one million of the approximately three million displaced residents have returned. However, the airport remains closed, and essential services like water and electricity are still lacking.
Local businesses continue to struggle. For example, Halima Ishaq, a tea-seller, reports significantly reduced income compared to pre-war levels. Similarly, merchant Abdullah Ahmed Abdel-Majid notes that while there is some market activity, it has not yet stabilized.
Volunteers are focused on repairing cultural landmarks such as the National Theatre and Al-Merreikh Stadium. While the theatre's stage is intact, the sound and lighting systems require replacement. The stadium, known as "the Red Castle," is being cleared of debris, albeit with idle machinery.
The United Nations estimates the cost of rebuilding Khartoum's infrastructure to be at least $350 million.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
