In brief
Sudan’s military‑led government has officially ended the curfew and state of emergency that had been imposed on Khartoum more than two years ago. The move comes 18 months after the army regained control of the capital from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, though fighting continues elsewhere. More than two million people who fled the city in 2023 have begun to return, and the airport has reopened to facilitate business and diplomatic activity. Despite these steps, residents face widespread damage, looting, and frequent power blackouts blamed on RSF drone attacks and a lack of infrastructure repairs.
Sudan’s military‑led government has lifted a curfew and the state of emergency that had been imposed on the capital Khartoum more than two years ago.
The decision comes 18 months after the army regained control of Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been fighting in a war that is now in its fourth year.
Although fighting has ended in the city, clashes continue in the south and west, and there are growing signs the conflict is spilling over Sudan’s borders.
According to the International Organization for Migration, over two million of the roughly five million people who fled Khartoum in April 2023 have returned since the fighting ended in March 2025.
Removing the curfew is meant to restore normal life: the airport has reopened for some flights, and the government is urging businesses and embassies to come back.
Rebuilding is still difficult. Many residents face widespread damage, looting of buildings, and ongoing power blackouts blamed on alleged RSF drone attacks on electricity infrastructure and a lack of government funds for repairs.
“The targeting of the electricity sector in particular was very significant,” said Altayeb Saadeldin, a spokesperson for the Khartoum state government. He cited looting of copper wires, fuel and other components, as well as drone attacks, as reasons for the outages. An RSF source called the allegations “incorrect and army propaganda.”
Security patrols will continue across the state, and residents traveling at night must carry identification documents, according to the Sudan News Agency, which is wary of RSF infiltration.
The war has also drawn concern from neighboring Chad, after a suspected Sudanese air strike hit a military convoy on the border, prompting a call for regional stability and a humanitarian truce from the US.
