The Face of Truth | Ibrahim Shaglawi The Police’s Efforts and the Failure of Services

It is well known that a state’s capacity in the post-war period is measured by how quickly it can restore security, alongside returning life to its normal course. Therefore, a state that succeeds in restoring security to its streets but fails to provide the necessities of daily life remains under a difficult test, because citizens do not view state institutions as separate entities; rather, they see them as one integrated system whose success or failure is directly reflected in their livelihoods.

Accordingly, the significant efforts being made by the Khartoum State Police can be understood within the framework of a plan to enforce security and reassert the authority of the state. The ongoing work is part of the battle to restore security after a period that left behind complex security and social gaps.

News reports and field observations over the past few days have revealed the scale of these efforts through the arrest of thousands of suspects, the deployment of security checkpoints, the operation of joint patrols across the state’s localities, the recovery of looted citizens’ property, the pursuit of drug trafficking networks, in addition to the removal of thousands of informal settlements and the clearance of large numbers of vehicles and war remnants. These important measures go beyond mere numbers because they signify that the state is working to regain control over the pillars of stability and restore the rule of law.

The importance of the role played by the police at this stage lies not only in combating crime, but also in rebuilding trust between citizens and state institutions. War also creates a state of anxiety and uncertainty, and the first step toward restoring stability is for citizens to feel that there is a government capable of protecting them and that the law has become the primary reference governing the relationship between the rulers and the ruled.

From a political perspective, the security of Khartoum is an issue that extends beyond the boundaries of the capital. Khartoum is the center of the state and its political, administrative, and economic symbol. The more the capital regains its security, the closer the country comes to restoring confidence. Capitals emerging from conflict become the starting point for rebuilding the state because their stability sends a message that institutions have regained their capacity and authority.

However, regardless of its importance, security success opens the door to another equally important obligation: the stability of public services. Here lies the paradox experienced by citizens these days. While the police are making tangible progress in the security file, the service sectors continue to face major challenges that leave citizens feeling uncertain.

The crisis resulting from the shutdown of the Merowe Dam power station, which led to electricity outages in several states in addition to the complete interruption of water supply in Karari locality, is a clear example of this challenge. The Ministry of Energy explained that the fire affecting some of the station’s cables caused extensive damage to the main transmission lines, and that technical teams are working on repairs and providing alternatives. Although these measures reflect a positive response to addressing the crisis, they also reveal the extent of the burden placed on citizens and the urgent need to accelerate rehabilitation and maintenance operations.

Therefore, the issue is not about comparing the success of one ministry with the shortcomings of another, but rather about understanding the nature of the current phase. The state does not recover through a strong police force alone, nor through stable services alone, but through the integration of roles among its institutions. Security and services together give citizens a sense of stability and recovery across all sectors.

Likewise, sustaining security cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the police. Citizens are essential partners in this equation through cooperation with the relevant authorities, respect for the law, and reporting manifestations of crime and disorder. States are built through community partnership that makes security a public culture enjoyed by all.

From an economic perspective, the stability of services and security constitutes essential conditions for the return of production and investment. Traders, investors, and citizens alike all need a stable environment before considering reconstruction. Every safe street, every crime contained, and every manifestation of disorder removed is a step toward restoring economic activity and preparing Khartoum for a new phase.

What the police are doing today represents an important step in the project of restoring the state, but at the same time it places the rest of the institutions before a parallel responsibility. The success of security must be reflected in improved electricity and water services so that citizens can feel that the state has returned with all its functions to serve recovery and accelerate the pace of stability.

Khartoum today needs not only the return of calm, but the return of life itself. It needs a police force that preserves security, institutions that provide services, and an economy that restores hope. When these elements come together, recovery becomes a tangible reality.

Experience has proven, according to #TheFaceOfTruth, that security is the beginning of the road, but not its end. A strong state is one that protects its citizens in the streets, serves them in their homes, and gives them confidence that the future can be better. Therefore, the efforts of the police today deserve recognition because they represent a step forward. However, complete success will remain dependent on the government’s ability to make security and services two sides of one reality: the return of Khartoum to normal life.

Wishing you continued health and well-being.

Monday, August 3, 2026Shglawi55@gmail.com