Politics Between Narratives and Institutions   Capt Mohamed Hassan Al-Tahir  

 

Date: May 20, 2026

 

These days, much is being said—sometimes openly, sometimes implicitly—about the Government of Hope after completing its first year. Perhaps this talk arises from the pain of experience, in the hope of expectation. As the old proverb says: “The one in need is reckless,” a description born from impatience for results and optimism in decision-makers, as well as from the heavy legacy tied to the suffering endured by the Sudanese people. Their longing, like that of victims, hastens the dawn of hope, raising questions about the relationship between the Institution of Hope and the accompanying narratives, and the noticeable lack of achievement—especially as the rainy season approaches, when malaria is expected to spread, often diagnosed with the English phrase:

Not seen.

 

From here, politics in the contemporary world appears as a dual-structured field, combining:

– Narratives that shape collective consciousness

– Institutions that organize political action through laws and formal structures

 

This overlap creates a constant dialectic between:

– What is told and what is practiced

– The discourse that persuades the masses, and the mechanisms that govern the state

 

On one hand, narratives rely on the power of symbols and stories to shape political identity. Movements and parties build legitimacy through tales of:

– The past

– Promises for the future

– Or portrayals of the present that serve their interests

 

These narratives are not mere words, but mobilizing tools that stir emotions and reshape public perception. For example, narratives such as “reform” or “resistance” are used to justify policies or frame conflicts.

 

On the other hand, the institution is the practical face of the political process, where those narratives are translated into laws, systems, and procedures. Institutions give politics its operational character, defining the boundaries of the possible and impossible. They:

– Balance interests and manage resources

– Preserve stability

 

Yet institutions are not entirely neutral; they are influenced by prevailing narratives and reproduce them in the form of official policies. Here lies the tension between narratives and institutions, producing a complex dynamic:

 

– When narrative and institution align, harmony arises, reinforcing legitimacy.

– When they diverge, as in cases of unfulfilled promises, a rift appears between discourse and reality, weakening trust and sparking crises.

 

Thus, politics can be seen as a continuous process of reconciling:

– Story and structure

– Symbol and procedure

 

Politics is not merely the management of public affairs, but also a struggle over meaning:

– Institutions provide the form

– Narratives provide the spirit

 

Through this interaction, nations chart their course, authority gains legitimacy, and society’s identity is forged. In this sense, politics between narratives and institutions is the art of balancing dream and reality, word and deed.

 

So, do we have the right to dream—or does the buzzing of mosquitoes and the groaning of citizens prevent words from becoming reality? A question born of longing, awaiting the answer of the engineers.