Delft Institute for Water Education Alumni Association Organizes Symposium on the Merger of the Ministries of Irrigation and Agriculture in Sudan
Press Release:
Delft Institute for Water Education Alumni Association Organizes Symposium on the Merger of the Ministries of Irrigation and Agriculture in Sudan
Khartoum – August 3, 2025
The Sudan Chapter of the Delft Institute for Water Education Alumni Association organized a virtual scientific symposium on Saturday evening, August 2, 2025, under the title: “Merging the Mandates and Responsibilities of the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources into the Ministry of Agriculture – Pros and Cons.” The symposium was attended by over 118 specialists and stakeholders and lasted for more than three hours of in-depth scientific discussion.
The event aimed to examine the technical, strategic, and administrative implications of the merger decision, with a focus on the long-standing experience of the Ministry of Irrigation, which dates back over a century. It highlighted the Ministry’s sovereign role in managing major infrastructure and complex files such as the Nile Waters and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) negotiations. The symposium also sought to present a science-based vision free from political bias to support national decision-makers with accurate and evidence-based analysis.
Dr. Khalid Al-Nour Ali Hassanallah moderated the session, and a group of experts participated, including:
Professor Yasser Abbas Mohamed Ali, former Minister of Irrigation, who elaborated on the complexities of water resource management. He warned that the merger could disrupt coordination among sectors and weaken technical performance. He emphasized that water is a sovereign and strategic resource and that institutional restructuring requires in-depth studies and stakeholder engagement.
Dr. Abdel Latif Ahmed Ajimi, former Minister of Agriculture, provided a critical review of Sudan’s past experience in merging ministries. He discussed the reasons for the failure in managing the comprehensive agricultural sector and stressed the importance of adopting a reform vision that considers technical and institutional factors.
Dr. Abdel Jabbar Hussein Othman, former State Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture, called for distinguishing between institutional reform and mere merger. He emphasized the need for strong and specialized institutions capable of effective coordination without overlapping responsibilities.
Dr. Abdel Dafi Fadlallah Ali, expert in agricultural economics and institutional governance, discussed the impact of the merger on resource allocation efficiency. He argued that coordination is better achieved through structured strategic integration rather than administrative fusion.
Professor Abdel Hadi Abdel Wahab, agricultural research expert, stressed the need to base structural decisions on scientific research and experience, warning against rushed decisions during wartime conditions.
Ambassador Ahlam Abdel Jalil Abu Zeid, expert in international arbitration and regional security, addressed the sovereign and security dimensions of water issues. She asserted that losing an independent Ministry of Water Resources could weaken Sudan’s negotiation position regionally, particularly in transboundary water disputes.
Mr. Ibrahim Shaqlawi, media advisor specialized in water issues, emphasized that having an independent water ministry is not just a technical requirement but a strategic necessity for enhancing Sudan’s standing in regional and international water affairs. He highlighted the importance of a well-informed media discourse in supporting water-related national interests.
Among the participants was Dr. Omar Marzouq, former Director of the Gezira Project, who presented a contrasting view. He argued that the merger does not necessarily pose a problem—an opinion that was not widely supported, as the majority of participants favored maintaining an independent Ministry of Irrigation.
Key Outcomes of the Symposium:
1. The need for an independent and specialized Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation as a strategic and sovereign choice.
2. The absence of such a ministry may undermine national water security and Sudan’s technical standing.
3. The necessity of establishing national coordination mechanisms among water, agriculture, energy, and environmental sectors through a Supreme Council for Water, tasked with policy formulation and national strategy development for water resource management.
4. Institutional reform does not necessarily mean merger; rather, it entails building strong, specialized institutions capable of efficient performance.
5. A recommendation to cancel the current merger decision and re-establish a separate Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
6. If the goal is to reduce the number of ministries, it is preferable to merge agriculture with livestock, not irrigation.
7. A call to prioritize restoring essential services amid the ongoing war instead of focusing on restructuring and redistribution of responsibilities.
8. A firm recommendation that any future restructuring should be based on scientific studies, past experiences, and implemented in a stable environment.
The organizers stressed that the symposium was not politically or ideologically driven but aimed to support national decision-making through objective, science-based information—especially during this critical period Sudan is facing.
Wishing everyone health and safety.
