Al-damer: Vice President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC) Malik Agar delivered an address Wednesday at the opening session of the Rural Development in Sudan Workshop, organized by the Ministry of Federal Governance and Rural Development with the participation of ministers, walis, and senior state officials.
According to Sudan News Agency, TSC Vice President affirmed that rural development is central to Sudan’s stability, economic growth, and social justice, stressing that the state’s vision is to build a balanced and prosperous Sudan where all regions benefit equally from natural and human resources without discrimination. He welcomed the expansion of the Ministry of Federal Governance’s mandate to include rural development, describing it as a step that reflects the government’s commitment to revitalizing rural areas and ‘bringing the city to the countryside.’
Agar recalled the statement of Caliph Omar ibn Al-Khattab that leaders are entrusted with meeting people’s needs and providing livelihoods, noting that rural development is a multidimensional concept rooted in local participation and community responsibility. He underscored that rural development is not limited to small projects, but forms a pillar of political stability and national economic strength, as the countryside remains the foundation of agriculture, livestock, and production.
Agar outlined key historical impediments that weakened rural development, such as centralization and marginalization concentrating power and resources in Khartoum while depriving rural regions of services and infrastructure. Weak investment in rural infrastructure left large areas isolated from electricity, water, health, education, and agricultural roads. A lack of long-term planning, conflicts and wars drained state capacities, poor management of natural resources, and weak local governance further exacerbated the challenges. Limited participation of women and youth, coupled with economic shocks and debt, reduced the state’s ability to invest in rural areas and discouraged private sector engagement.
The TSC Vice-President stated that the government’s new rural development strategy is built on several pillars, including achieving equity in the distribution of resources and services, empowering local governance with real administrative and financial authority, and integrating rural areas into national and global markets. Additionally, the strategy focuses on mainstreaming women and youth, strengthening partnerships, relying on data-driven planning, and involving rural communities directly in shaping development decisions.
Agar affirmed that the workshop in Al-Damer is a practical step toward a comprehensive national project. The Presidency is fully committed to providing political and administrative support to ensure the success of rural development efforts. He stressed that the workshop’s value lies not in written recommendations but in policies implemented on the ground, expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Federal Governance and Rural Development, experts, researchers, and national and international partners.
The TSC Vice-President concluded by expressing hope that the workshop would mark the beginning of a genuine rural renaissance capable of transforming Sudan and restoring the countryside’s leadership role in shaping the nation’s future, fulfilling the vision of ‘bringing the city to the countryside.’ He closed with a prayer for Sudan and its people.