Sudan Lifts Two-Year Curfew in Khartoum as Capital Slowly Returns to Normal

The authorities are taking this step as the civil war, now in its fourth year, continues in southern and western parts of the country. More than two million of the roughly five million people who fled Khartoum after war erupted in April 2023 have returned to the city since fighting there ended in March 2025, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The government has reopened the city's main airport for some flights and is encouraging businesses and embassies to come back. The aim of lifting the curfew is to help restore normal life to the capital, the Sudan News Agency reported, though security patrols will continue operating across the state and locals traveling at night will face restrictions.

However, many residents struggle to rebuild their livelihoods. Widespread damage and looting of buildings have been reported. Constant power blackouts also plague daily life, which a spokesperson for the Khartoum state government, Altayeb Saadeldin, attributed to alleged RSF drone attacks on electricity infrastructure, as well as looting of copper wires and fuel and other components. He said: "The targeting of the electricity sector in particular was very significant."

An RSF source responded that the allegations were "incorrect and army propaganda."

Why This Matters

The lifting of the curfew signals a tentative return to normalcy for Khartoum's residents, but the city's infrastructure remains crippled, affecting daily life for millions.
The move could encourage further returns of displaced populations and help rebuild economic activity, though the ongoing conflict in other regions and border spillover remain major risks.
The power blackouts highlight how critical infrastructure has become a target in the war, with both sides trading blame—this could hinder long-term recovery and investment.

Background

Sudan has been locked in a devastating civil war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. Khartoum, the capital, became a key battleground, with the RSF initially gaining significant territory. The army launched a counteroffensive and retook the city by March 2025, nearly two years after the war began. The state of emergency and curfew were imposed early in the conflict to maintain order, but their lifting now reflects the government's assessment that security has stabilized in the capital.

Key Perspectives

Sudanese Government/Military Authorities: The lifting of the curfew and state of emergency is a demonstration of regained control and an effort to revive the capital. Security patrols remain in place to guard against RSF infiltration. Returning Residents: People are coming back to find homes and businesses damaged or looted, struggling with constant power outages and limited services. The move offers hope but little immediate relief. RSF and their supporters: The RSF denies responsibility for attacks on electricity infrastructure, dismissing such claims as propaganda from the army, and continues to fight in other regions.

What to Watch

Whether power blackouts are addressed and electricity infrastructure repaired, a critical factor for economic recovery.
The rate of return of displaced populations and whether businesses and embassies actually re-establish a presence.
Continued clashes in the south and west, and any evidence of the war spilling further across Sudan's borders.

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