Institutional Management of Water Resources in Sudan: How to Maximise Efficiency and Benefit?

Dr. Ammar Abdelrahman
Amid the formation of the “Government of Hope” led by Dr. Kamil Idris — the new Sudanese Prime Minister — and the accompanying political and administrative changes, a wide-ranging debate has resurfaced regarding the future of the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources. This follows proposals to fully or partially merge it with other ministries, such as Agriculture, or Environment and Sustainable Development. The concern has grown due to conflicting approaches: some advocate splitting responsibilities (irrigation to Agriculture, water resources to Environment), while others call for complete subordination of the Ministry to Agriculture. This reflects institutional confusion and a lack of unified vision.
The contradictory statements about the fate of the Ministry suggest that the decision was not based on a strategic study or clear institutional evaluation, but rather seems to result from political compromises or transitional arrangements. While some speak of dividing responsibilities, no concrete plan or coordination mechanism has been proposed to ensure coherence between the two ministries that differ in both vision and administrative structure. Meanwhile, those supporting full integration under Agriculture overlook the complex nature of national water resource management, which encompasses international files, dams, electricity, drinking water, sanitation, and environmental protection — far beyond the narrow scope of traditional irrigated agriculture.
The Sudanese experience — much like the regional context — offers many lessons underscoring that dismantling or fragmenting the water resources sector among multiple institutions weakens state capacity and undermines the delicate balance required between the various uses of this vital resource. The Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources is not merely a technical-executive body; it is a historic national institution that played a central role since the early 20th century in managing the Gezira Scheme, and has evolved to cover irrigation, dams, power generation, water harvesting, transboundary water, and strategic water planning.
Among its key strategic responsibilities is oversight of the national administration for drinking water and sanitation — one of the most pressing public services amid deteriorating infrastructure and high levels of poverty and vulnerability. Any attempt to marginalise this administration or weaken its institutional standing constitutes a direct threat to citizens’ basic rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
What we are witnessing today — the covert competition between sectors such as Agriculture, Environment, and Energy over control of water resources — is not a sign of institutional vitality but a serious warning. Each party seeks to extend its influence, absent a national vision that respects the nature of the resource, its multiple uses, and the need to prioritise the broader interests of Sudan and its people over narrow institutional ambitions.
This brings us to a fundamental question: How can efficiency and benefit be maximised in the management of Sudan’s water resources?
The answer cannot be based on a narrow technical or sectoral perspective, but must come from a comprehensive national outlook grounded in international best practices. It must consider the interlinkages between water, food, and energy security, in addition to Sudan’s regional and international obligations, and the principles of environmental justice and equity across different regions and states.
From this standpoint, any step toward restructuring this sensitive sector must be subject to transparent national dialogue involving Sudanese experts, research institutions, farmers, technical professionals, and representatives of local communities. The need for a unified institutional body for water resources — whether under a dedicated ministry or an independent authority — is clearer than ever, to ensure integrated planning, good governance, and fair distribution.
What is happening today is not merely the redistribution of administrative functions. It is a redrawing of Sudan’s sovereign map over its water resources. It must not be settled in a haphazard or improvised manner, but should result from a well-studied, transparent, and participatory national vision — one that puts Sudan first, embraces the diversity of water uses, accounts for international and regional dimensions, and ensures equitable distribution of development projects across the country. All this must be guided by a strategic perspective that safeguards the sustainability of Sudan’s water resources for future generations.
Dr. Ammar Abdelrahman is a specialist in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=6786