The Interlopers of History
Face of Truth
Ibrahim Shaglawi
At a pivotal moment in Sudan’s history—a nation bearing seven thousand years of civilization on its shoulders—the country can no longer endure standing in the gray zone, nor can it accept the confiscation of its will by those newly arrived on its political and historical stage. The war that has been raging since April 2023 has placed everyone before a moral and political test that allows no ambiguity or procrastination: one must either side with a united and sovereign Sudan or with the agendas of fragmentation and dependency.
In this context, the step taken by the State of Qatar in reopening its embassy in Khartoum—becoming the first diplomatic mission to return to the liberated capital—carried a profound political message. It went beyond diplomatic representation to affirm respect for Sudan’s sovereignty and unity. It reflected a vision grounded in the principles of a genuine partnership, unshaken by passing shifts or desperate tactics. The visit of Qatari Ambassador Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sada to the embassy and his raising of his country’s flag in the heart of Khartoum amidst the ruins of war was a symbolic and sovereign gesture. Observers read it as an early announcement of the return of regional capitals to engage with Sudan from within its arena, not from without.
What added a moral dimension to this stance was the statement by Qatar’s Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Lolwah Al Khater, during a seminar on the challenges facing antiquities and heritage in Sudan two days ago. In a widely circulated speech on social media, she asked: “How can these intruders upon history dare to change the face of civilization?” She emphasized that some things are too precious to be bought with money, that money does not make history, and that the civilizations of Kerma, Kush, Meroë, and Jebel Barkal stand as a moral wall against ugliness—because beauty endures. Her words eloquently summed up Sudan’s essential battle, which the discerning have grasped: a battle against distortion, forgery, and hijacking—against engineering the country’s future to serve foreign interests.
On the other hand, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced two days ago the opening of its doors to all diplomatic missions and international organizations to reclaim their headquarters in Khartoum. This step reflects the Sudanese state’s desire to normalize foreign relations from the heart of its capital, not from alternative international platforms. The announcement, which coincided with the liberation of Khartoum from the grip of the rebel militia, carries political and strategic significance: the capital is not just a liberated geography but a symbolic space for state authority. The return of embassies implies implicit recognition of the country’s transition to a new phase of full sovereignty.
Examining the history of Sudanese-Qatari relations reveals a balanced trajectory, despite some disruption following the fall of the Al-Bashir regime in 2019. Yet Qatar did not descend into hostility or invest in chaos. Instead, it remained consistent in its support for Sudan’s stability. The incident of turning back its foreign minister’s plane after the revolution—although politically pointed at the time—did not stop Qatar from continuing its support through two parallel tracks: the peace track, as demonstrated in its sponsorship of the Darfur Agreement in 2011, and the humanitarian track, which continued quietly throughout the current war.
Qatar’s firm stance on Sudan reflects a strategic reading that sees Khartoum not just as a political capital, but as a regional gateway influencing the balance of power in the area. Thus, Qatar is today repositioning itself in the Sudanese scene through the gate of sovereignty—not through circumstantial alliances or alignment with illegitimate forces, as others have done.
Given the sharp polarization in the region, what happened represents a model of what could be called “sovereign diplomacy,” which does not impose guardianship but bets on shared history and mutual interests. This should be the rule in dealing with Sudan, not the exception.
The Sudanese war—with all its tragedies—has succeeded in clearly filtering out positions. Slogans can no longer conceal intentions. On this basis, Sudan, which has endured despite the pain, will not allow those who do not know its terrain or sufferings to shape its future. Civilizations are not crafted in operation rooms, nor are they reduced to flimsy statements—they are written in the blood of their sons and preserved by the stances of allies who know that sovereignty has a price, and history has a memory.
Thus, from what we see through the #Face_of_Truth, the Qatari ambassador’s visit to Khartoum was not merely a diplomatic step but a profound political and humanitarian stance that redefines alliances in times of hardship. Those who shared Sudan’s pain today are the ones who will share its promising future. And in the words of Minister Lolwah Al Khater, there was a clear condemnation of attempts to forge geography and identity—and a confirmation that money does not create history, nor does it cultivate dignity in land that has not been nourished by blood and sacrifice. Sudan today does not await neutrality—the gray zone has disappeared, and a people awakened by the calamity of war now read positions as one reads open books. It is a revealing moment, and everyone must choose their stance—because Khartoum, now shaking off the dust of war, will remember who stood with it… and who abandoned it.
Stay well and safe.