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Voices from El-Fasher: Survivors of Sudan’s Civil War Share Their Stories

In a war-torn city where basic human rights are under siege, the stories of individuals like Hafiza reveal the immense personal toll inflicted by Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict. Two years following the outbreak of warfare in Sudan, the impacts on its citizens have been staggering, particularly in el-Fasher, a city that has been subjected to relentless siege and bombardment.

Hafiza, a 21-year-old woman in el-Fasher, recounts the devastating loss of her mother, who was killed by shelling while working in the local market in August 2024. “She left no last words. She was dead when she was carried away,” Hafiza recalls, the weight of her grief palpable as she struggles to come to terms with her new reality. Following this tragedy, she became the caretaker for her five-year-old brother and two teenage sisters, having already lost their father prior to the war’s escalation. The ongoing clash between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has transformed their lives into a constant battle for survival.

Cut off from the outside world for more than a year, el-Fasher has essentially become a no-go zone for aid workers and journalists. The BBC World Service has managed to distribute phones to some residents, enabling them to document their lives amid chaos. Hafiza’s voluntary efforts toward assisting displaced individuals further illustrate the resilience and solidarity among community members. She distributes blankets and food, striving to make a difference in the lives of those around her, all the while grappling with her own profound sense of loss.

Meanwhile, Mostafa, a 32-year-old resident also affected by the violence, has captured the sounds of war in his video diaries—shelling and gunfire serving as the constant backdrop to his life. After returning home from a family visit, he witnessed the destruction left by shelling and the looting that followed. “Everything was turned upside down,” he stated, as his neighborhood faced increasing violence and displacement. Mostafa’s experiences underscore the pervasive fear that grips the city. “There is no safe place in el-Fasher,” he asserts, reflecting the grim reality of life in a conflict zone.

Alongside Mostafa is Manahel, a 26-year-old who recently graduated from university and quickly found herself in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. Her father, who chose to remain behind to protect neighbors’ belongings, was killed by RSF artillery just weeks after the war escalated. Manahel has since volunteered at community kitchens, where food is prepared and delivered to those in shelters. For many residents, these meals represent their only sustenance for the day, a sobering highlight of their routine amidst turmoil.

The fears of Hafiza, Manahel, and Mostafa are compounded by the horrifying reports emerging from other regions of Darfur. Eyewitness accounts describe atrocities committed against non-Arab communities as RSF forces seize control. In cities like el-Geneina, ethnic cleansing allegations have been extensively documented, with many survivors recounting harrowing experiences. Women, in particular, have faced unspeakable violence, leading to widespread displacement even within Sudan and into neighboring countries.

Despite the humanitarian crisis, monitors note that the RSF remains defiant, denying any wrongdoing yet actively controlling regions like el-Geneina, where fears of reprisal starkly linger. Isolation continues for many residents as access to adequate food and clean water has dwindled, with as many as 500,000 people displaced and facing famine-like conditions. The dire nature of these statistics casts a somber shadow over narratives of those trying to help one another under unyielding circumstances.

As the conflict grinds on, Hafiza, Mostafa, and Manahel made the painful decision to leave el-Fasher for safer areas in November 2024. The hope for peace is elusive, with the capital, Khartoum, shifting back under military control as Darfur remains engulfed in violence. “El-Fasher has become scary,” Manahel confides as they prepare for an uncertain future, questioning whether they will ever return to their homes. “We don’t know what will happen.”

The personal accounts of Hafiza, Mostafa, and Manahel offer poignant insight into the broader humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan, emphasizing the urgent need for reconciliation, humanitarian aid, and, ultimately, lasting peace.

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