UN reopens office in Sudan’s capital after nearly 3-year closure

The United Nations has now reopened its headquarters in the Sudanese capital for the first time in three years.

The move marks a preliminary step toward resuming operations from Khartoum after they were relocated to Port Sudan following the outbreak of war in mid-April 2023.

The reopening ceremony in Thursday, April 2, was attended by high-level government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohieddin Salem, and the Khartoum Governor, Ahmed Osman Hamza, as well as officials from the international organisation and its various agencies.

UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian and Development Coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown, said the move was significant and allows UN agencies to reach all areas that were previously inaccessible.

Speaking at a press conference at the UN mission in central Khartoum, she added that the organisation will continue its support to the state and individuals to end the war and reconstruct Sudan.

The UN quit Khartoum for Port Sudan shortly after the eruption of the war between the army and Rapid Support Forces in April 2023.

The Foreign Minister praised the UN’s decision to resume its activities from Khartoum, describing it as a historic day for the country.

“With this celebration, we send a message to our partners in the United Nations that we are working side by side with them for the stability of Sudan,” Salem said.

Salem emphasised that Darfur and Kordofan would eventually recover from what he termed the “kidnapping” by the “terrorist Rapid Support Forces militia.”

“We are advocates for peace and, as members of the United Nations, we are joining hands with UN agencies and organisations to implement the government’s ‘Hope for Peace’ initiative to reach sustainable peace,” he added.

The minister stated that the government would not allow any party to dictate terms and remains committed to the initiative proposed by the Prime Minister before the UN.

He noted that the government calls for peace and welcomes all international initiatives. “Through the UN, we convey that there is no place for the militia among us, and we reject external dictates,” Salem said.

The Foreign Minister called on the African Union to review Sudan’s suspension from membership and urged the regional bloc IGAD to take more concrete steps to support stability in the country.

He praised the efforts of UN agencies, specifically highlighting the work of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan.
Salem reiterated the government’s rejection of truces that would restore the “rebel militia,” asserting that the group will have no place in the country’s future.

For his part, the Associate Administrator of the UNDP, Xu Haoliang, said the return of UN agencies to Khartoum represents important support for Sudan in the current phase.

Xu said the UNDP is focusing on humanitarian response while strengthening the capacities of national institutions and local communities, contributing to recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Sudan is facing one of the largest humanitarian crises in the region. The ongoing war has displaced millions internally and externally, alongside a sharp decline in health and education services and surging food insecurity.

Earlier, the UN warned of growing humanitarian needs in Sudan as the war approached its third year.

According to the Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2026, recently announced by the UN, about 33.7 million people in Sudan will require humanitarian assistance this year – an increase of 3.3 million compared to 2025.