Republican Palace, Khartoum

The Republican Palace complex can be found on the south side of the Blue Nile river. It is bordered to the north by Nile Street, to the south by University Avenue, to the east by Abusin Street, and to the west by the Street of Mihera Bint Abboud. The city planners of Khartoum intended for the Republican Palace to serve as a way to divide the city into two parts, with government buildings and offices, commercial institutions, and other important institutions built around it. == History ==

Sudan fell under the rule of Turkish-Egyptian colonisation in 1821 after Muhammad Ali Pasha seized control. Egypt governed Sudan during this period, with a governor known as the Hakimadar ruling the region. The capital of Sudan was moved from Funj Sennar (1504–1821) to Wad Medani during the reign of Hakimadar Osman Bey Jarkas (September 1824 to May 1825). He made Khartoum his seat of power and gradually shifted the state's offices from Wad Madani to Khartoum. Khartoum eventually became the capital of Sudan in 1830, marking the final transition of power. Hakimadaria Palace (Saraya al-Hikmadar) During the reign of Hakimadar Mahu Bey Urfali (May 1825 to March 1826), the first mud-built Palace was constructed in a rectangular as the main office for the administration of Sudan. The palace was situated on the southern bank of the Blue Nile, at a distance of under one kilometer from the intersection of the White and Blue Niles. In 1834, during the rule of Hakimadar Ali Khurshid Pasha (March 1826 to June 1838), some improvements and additions were made to the Hakimadaria palace, and the province's building was established. The offices and interests of the State Administration were transferred to it, and Hakimadaria Palace remained the Hakimadar's residence. Governor-General's Palace During the period of Anglo-Egyptian colonisation of Sudan from 1898 to 31 December 1955, Khartoum become the capital of Sudan. The first governor general of Sudan, Herbert Kitchener (19 January 1898 to 22 December 1899), rebuilt the palace in 1899 on the stones of the demolished Hakimadaria Palace. By 1900, a large part of the palace building was completed for the second governor, Reginald Wingate (22 December 1899 to 31 December 1916) to settle in the Palace. The remainder of the palace including the annexes was completed by 1906. (Old) Republican Palace On 1 January 1956, Sudan gained independence, and the British and Egyptian flags were lowered while the Sudanese flag was raised in the palace staff. The Palace became known as the Republican Palace and served as the official residence for the president of the Republic of Sudan. It also housed the offices of the Sovereignty Council members and the presidency departments. The prime minister had a separate residence and offices in a different location. In 1971, additional buildings were constructed on the south side of the Palace for the Palace's departments, the Republican Guard, and car parking. Other areas of the Palace on the eastern side were added to create the College of the Republican Palace, expanding the Palace's total space to . During the failed coup, Numeiri was detained, later smuggled, and was able to jump the palace's southern wall. the palace was renamed the Republican Palace. The director of museums criticized the decision to build a new palace without consulting the Antiquities Authority, which affected the panorama of the historical building and its architectural consistency. The new Arabic style building is completely different from the old palace's English Palladian architecture, and the palace garden, an integral part of the design, was clearly affected. which the latter denied. Pictures sent to the BBC by a Khartoum resident appeared to contradict the RSF's claims of the destruction but showed the new palace had been severely damaged by a fire. On 6 August 2023, the SAF launched airstrikes and artillery on the palace. On 12 May 2024, the SAF shelled the old palace, setting fire to parts of the building. The Sudanese Armed Forces retook control of the palace on 21 March 2025. ==Facilities==

The Republican Palace has historical and cultural significance in Sudan. The palace is not open to the public, but there is a museum located behind it that visitors can explore. From the southern side, the palace overlooks a small square that bore its name "Palace Square" before it was renamed Martyrs Square. The Republican Palace complex consists of the New Presidential Palace building, located in an area of , and the Old Presidential Palace building, located in an area of . Office of the Vice President It is located on the ground floor, and during the Turkish era it was reserved for the assistants to the rulers. A spiral staircase was built on the eastern side to connect it to the governor-general's office on the first floor. After independence, the office was allocated to one of the members of the Sovereignty Council, and later turned into an office for the vice president. Leadership of the Republican Guard The palace has a military force known as the Republican Guard, which protects it in addition to other ceremonial tasks, such as organising a parade of honour during the reception of visitors to the country from heads of state and during the ceremonies for ambassadors of foreign countries to present their credentials to the president of Sudan. The Republican Guard was established on 15 October 1960, who can be seen standing in front of the palace gates permanently in a ceremonial guard line, in addition to carrying out a replacement process for the guards in front of the palace and in the presence of a number of visitors, tourists or the public. Administration The palace is affiliated administratively to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, which is headed by a minister and includes several specialised departments, such as the Department of Protocol, Information, Legal Affairs, Administrative and Financial Affairs, and the press office of the head of state. Residences during her visit to Sudan in February 1965. Left to her is Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on her right is El-Tigani el-Mahi and behind her is Abdel Halim Mohamed The residential sections are located on the second floor. It consists of three wings, one towards the east, another in the middle, and a third to the west. It includes a large hall, several bedrooms, dining rooms, and ancillary facilities. During the periods of Turkish rule and British rule, it was used as a residence for the ruler and his family, and after independence, it was completely allocated for the residence of state guests from other heads of state visiting Sudan. Among those who resided there were Queen Elizabeth II in 1965, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, and the president of Yugoslavia, Joseph Broz Tito in 1962. The All Saints Cathedral was built by Reginald Wingate in 1912. oil paintings and photographs of them. In addition, its also includes presidential gifts that were given to them, musical instruments, utensils, and pieces of furniture that were used inside the presidential palace in previous eras, and other archaeological and memorial objects related to the palace and its former residents. The museum was officially opened on 31 December 1999, and it is one of three parts of the complex that is open to the public, including the Library and Mosque. The mosque is located inside the palace wall in the south-eastern part of it overlooking University Street and the Martyrs Square. The mosque is also open to the public during prayers time. == Significance ==

(centre) and Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein (blue fatigue) in front of the Republican Palace after the 1989 coup d'état In addition to its role as the official residence of the president, the Republican Palace has also been used for hospitality and to receive guests. The palace has hosted many important figures from around the world over the years, including heads of state, diplomats, and other dignitaries. The Sudanese Republican Palace is a political symbol in Sudan. Ceremonies for presenting credentials to ambassadors of foreign countries, and official country ceremonies take place in the Palace. Postage stamps and banknotes carried its image, which permeates scenes and images of media releases in the country. For example, in 1969, the palace was the location of a military coup that brought General Gaafar Nimeiry to power. In 1985, the palace was the site of another military coup that overthrew Nimeiry and installed a civilian government. The palace has also been the site of important international meetings and events, such as the Arab League summit in 1967, and is famous for its Khartoum Resolution known as "The Three No's"; No peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with Israel. In April 2019, the Sudanese military overthrew then-President Omar al-Bashir and the palace came under the control of the Transitional Military Council and its successor, the Transitional Sovereignty Council. Between April 2023 and March 2025 during the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had control of the Republican Palace and other key facilities across various regions of Sudan, including the main airport of the capital city. The RSF is a paramilitary organization that was formed during the War in Darfur and has since become a powerful force in the country. == Further reading ==