In wars, it is not only political equations that change, but economic equations shift as well. By its very nature, war rearranges the flow of money and labor, creating a new economic reality governed as much by necessity as by chaos.
The past years have produced what can be described as a “war economy,” an economic pattern that emerges when state institutions decline and lose their capacity to organize economic activity. In such environments, informal activities expand, smuggling networks and parallel trade grow, and the flow of money shifts from production to quick profit. These phenomena may initially appear as mechanisms for coping with crisis, but they eventually become a real obstacle to economic recovery, as they reshape centers of economic power outside the state’s institutional frameworks.
Thus, the challenge facing our country today is not limited to rebuilding what the war has destroyed, but extends to restoring the state’s control over the economic space.
Reconstruction is fundamentally about restarting the production cycle. Water, roads, and electricity are essential conditions for returning the economy to its natural flow, achieving recovery, and rebuilding trust between society and the state.
At this stage, it is important to discuss agriculture as one of the historical keys to Sudan’s economy. Sudan, long described as the breadbasket of the Arab world and its neighbors, possesses land, water resources, and human capacities that qualify it to make agriculture a true base for economic growth.
However, this vital sector has suffered significant decline over recent years due to war, policy instability, weak investment, and the erosion of infrastructure that managed the production process.
Therefore, the discussion about agriculture at this stage should not be limited to increasing production alone, but should be viewed as part of a process to reorganize national resources. Despite Sudan’s abundant natural resources, it has often suffered from the absence of a coherent economic vision linking agricultural production with industry and foreign trade.
In this context, the step announced yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Professor Ismat Qureshi, to form a permanent national committee for cotton and launch the national strategy for developing the cotton value chain for the period (2026–2030), carries an important and serious significance. It reflects the government’s awareness of the importance of rebuilding the economy, starting with organizing national resources and redirecting them toward production.
Historically, cotton in Sudan’s economy was not merely an agricultural crop; it was part of the national economic identity. Through it, industries were established, cities emerged, and Sudan became linked to global markets.
However, this role has declined over the past decades due to policy failures, weak management, infrastructure collapse, and the impacts of war on the agricultural sector.
Therefore, the Minister’s discussion of the cotton value chain reflects a significant shift in the state’s economic thinking. The issue is no longer only about increasing cultivated areas, but about building an integrated system that begins with seeds and production, passes through processing, and ends with global marketing and added value. If implemented well, this transformation can restore Sudanese cotton’s historical position as a major source of national income.
The success of such initiatives does not depend solely on sectoral policies, but also on the nature of the relationship between the state and the economy. Modern experiences confirm that sustainable development cannot rely solely on the state, nor can it be left entirely to market forces. What is required is a balanced formula in which the state defines the strategic vision and provides an organized environment, while the private sector moves flexibly to invest its capacity for development and innovation.
In post-war societies, agricultural development takes on a political dimension that goes beyond economic calculations.
Agriculture not only provides food and employment but also contributes to restoring stability in local communities and rural areas, reconnects people to their land and livelihood, and opens the door to a real economy based on production rather than a shadow economy.
Hence, Sudan’s next battle will not be fought on the fields of war, but in the fields of the economy and production. A state that succeeds in turning its agricultural resources into economic power has laid a solid foundation for political stability.
The regional and international context cannot be ignored. Today, Sudan is part of a global economic system, and cotton, gold, and energy markets are affected by regional and global shifts. This places a responsibility on the state to craft policies that protect the national economy from global market fluctuations, while simultaneously encouraging local production to ensure added value and competitiveness.
Transitioning from a war economy to a development economy is not merely an economic shift, but a political and social decision concerning the kind of state Sudanese people desire for themselves—a state that regains its ability to manage its resources, restores the value of labor and production, and opens the path for an economy capable of creating jobs and managing wealth to achieve sustainable social development.
At this historic moment, according to #Face_of_Truth, Sudan stands before a promising opportunity: either remain captive to an economy shaped by chaos and conflict, or open the door to a new national project in which the land returns to production, and agriculture once again becomes a pillar for building the state, its stability, and security.
Wishing you health and well-being.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Shglawi55@gmail.com
