Sudan’s prime minister makes first visit to Khartoum to assess war damage
July 18, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s Prime Minister, Kamil Idris, arrived in Khartoum on Friday for his first visit to the capital since his appointment in May. The landmark trip is aimed at assessing the extensive war damage and initiating reconstruction efforts, according to a government statement.
Upon his arrival, Idris was received by the Interior Minister and the Governor of Khartoum state, along with members of the state security committee.
Military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan appointed Idris on May 19, just days after the army announced it had retaken complete control of Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Idris is the first person to hold the Prime Minister post since early 2022.
According to a statement from the Khartoum state government, the visit is intended to “assess the general situation and the extent of the damage” to prepare for an “immediate start” to reconstruction. This work will be guided by a high-level committee recently formed by Burhan, which includes Idris as a member, tasked with facilitating the return of civilians and overseeing the rebuilding process.
A key focus of the Prime Minister’s inspection tour was the critical infrastructure in the Al-Jaili area, north of Khartoum.
Idris pledges rehabilitation of Al-Jaili refinery
During his tour, Idris assessed the extent of the destruction caused by the rebellious RSF militia at the Al-Jaili oil refinery and the nearby Garri thermal power station. Describing the visit as “historic in every sense of the word,” he addressed the systematic damage to the facilities.
In a statement to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), the Prime Minister affirmed that the refinery will be “maintained to be better than it was.” He said, “We have assessed the extent of the systematic destruction in all the facilities of the refinery and the Garri station,” announcing that the necessary plans are being put in place to restore this national wealth and these important installations to a better condition than they were.
The Prime Minister added, “This national wealth will return, and we will learn lessons from it.” He praised the efforts of all the workers who preserved what remains of the facilities, calling for the need to maintain human resources and for a strong will and determination to preserve these vital installations.