Sudan orders reopening of Khartoum varsities

Sudan’s Prime Minister, Dr. Kamil El-Tayib Idris, has ordered the reopening of universities in Khartoum, signaling a move toward restoring the country’s war-torn education sector.

In a directive issued to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Prime Minister called for a comprehensive assessment of damages sustained by universities and research centers during the conflict.

The aim is to evaluate the necessary repairs before academic activities resume.

Since the outbreak of war in April 2023, Sudan’s education infrastructure—particularly in Khartoum State—has suffered significant destruction, leaving many institutions unusable.

As part of efforts to support national recovery and reconciliation, Dr. Idris also instructed the National Center for Curricula and Educational Research to integrate content promoting peace, unity, and rejection of hate speech into the national curriculum.

While no specific reopening date has been announced, the directive marks a critical step toward rebuilding the education system amid Sudan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The war has resulted in the deaths of at least 24,000 people, though actual figures are believed to be much higher. More than 13 million people have been displaced, including 4 million who have fled to neighboring countries.

The conflict has led to widespread famine and what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

The fighting has been characterized by grave human rights violations, including mass rapes and ethnically targeted killings, particularly in Darfur.

These atrocities have been classified by the UN and international watchdogs as war crimes and crimes against humanity.