Sudan army official orders probe into ‘shocking’ government lease deals
February 12, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s Sovereign Council has launched an investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving government leases paid in U.S. dollars and high-value infrastructure contracts in the capital, a senior official said on Thursday.
General Ibrahim Jaber, a member of the Transitional Sovereign Council and assistant commander-in-chief of the army, said a report uncovered that several ministries had rented headquarters in Khartoum using foreign currency. Jaber described the move as “shocking” and a violation of state regulations.
While Prime Minister Kamil Idris initially denied knowledge of the arrangements, Jaber said the authorization for the leases originated from a letter issued within the Council of Ministers. The matter has been referred to the Auditor General, whose preliminary findings identified a “senior minister” as the individual responsible for the contracts.
Jaber ordered the immediate cancellation of all dollar-denominated leases and the recovery of funds to the state treasury.
Suspension of Khartoum rehabilitation committee
In a separate development, Jaber confirmed the suspension of the High Committee for the Rehabilitation of Khartoum. He said the decision was made due to procedural complications, specifically a directive restricting executive-branch members from participating in the committee’s meetings.
A leaked memorandum from the Prime Minister’s office, dated February 9, revealed that ministers were barred from serving on external committees without prior authorization, unless those bodies were chaired directly by the head of the Sovereign Council.
Despite the suspension, Jaber defended the committee’s work, stating it had restored critical electricity, water, and health services in the capital. He clarified that the committee’s role was supervisory and did not involve the direct financial contracting now under investigation.
The probe into the leasing scandal coincides with mounting public scrutiny over a $11 million contract for the maintenance of the Halfaya Bridge in Khartoum. The contract was reportedly awarded to two firms linked to the former regime without a public tender.
Jaber directed the ministries of finance and transport to provide a transparent account of the costs and the selection process. He emphasized that the legal and financial responsibility for such contracts rested solely with the relevant ministries.
Jaber said the state has sufficient real estate assets across the military and government sectors in Khartoum, arguing there is no justification for the government to drain foreign currency reserves for office space. He said authorities have now “placed their hands on the file” to protect state resources.