April 15: A Journey of Displacement, Fear, and the Search for Safety

Moatinoon – Rami Mahkar
Between the morning of Saturday, April 15, 2023, and today—three years into the war in Sudan—a profound turning point has reshaped the lives of millions of Sudanese. Waves of mass displacement began as people fled shelling and armed clashes. With the sound of gunfire and artillery echoing through residential neighborhoods, civilians found themselves trapped in the heart of a battle whose outcome they did not know, paying the price with their safety, stability, and future.

Targeting Civilians
Amid a war that has cast a heavy shadow over Sudan, painful human stories have emerged, reflecting the scale of suffering endured by citizens. Younis Hassan says the outbreak of war was not entirely surprising to him, given the visible security preparations that preceded it. What shocked him, however, was the extent of violations against civilians.

He adds that the direct targeting of civilians, along with widespread looting of homes, came as a major shock—especially with reports of grave abuses, including cases of rape, something he had never expected.

Search for Stability
Despite the brutality of war, Younis notes that displacement was not his first choice out of fear of fighting, but rather a forced decision driven by economic necessity after losing his job and source of income. He describes displacement as the worst experience of his life, finding himself in an unfamiliar environment without acquaintances or a support network.

He initially headed to Northern State, where he worked on a farm. However, he did not stay long. After a month, he decided to travel to Egypt, hoping for better opportunities and a stable income.

Reality there did not meet his expectations. He was forced into physically demanding jobs and faced discriminatory treatment from his employer due to his Sudanese nationality. After repeated abuse, he chose to confront the situation and reject it, ultimately returning once again to northern Sudan.

Fragmentation and Loss
The journey of displacement did not end there. He later traveled to another country before eventually returning again to Sudan, describing those days as marked by instability and fragmentation. Younis says he felt lost, no longer knowing what awaited him or where he was heading.

Caught between the decision to return to his hometown of Omdurman or continue wandering in uncertainty, he found himself in a struggle for survival and stability at any cost. In the end, he chose to return to Khartoum before it was fully retaken by the Sudanese army from the Rapid Support Forces. He remained there until the end of the fighting in the city, trying to catch his breath after a long journey of suffering and displacement.

Anxiety and Fear
In contrast to Younis, who had anticipated the war, Mujtaba Taha says he never imagined Sudanese people would experience war within Khartoum State. On the morning when the first shots were fired, he had planned to go out with a relative in East Nile, but his cousin informed him of military movements in the streets, prompting him to stay home.

Mujtaba initially believed the war would not last long and expected a resolution within a week. However, as clashes continued and looting began to spread in his neighborhood in Omdurman—along with shells falling on homes—he and his family were forced to leave their house and move north of Omdurman.

A state of anxiety and fear took hold of him. As he explains:
"I was not afraid for myself, but for my family—especially since I was with my daughters and my mother. I feared they might be harmed or subjected to violations."

The Bitterness of Displacement
Their stay in northern Omdurman was temporary before Mujtaba continued his journey to River Nile State in search of safety and stability. However, he was confronted with an unexpected reality.

“Displacement was harsher than the war,” he says. “We faced many details I do not wish to go into. It revealed things we never imagined, and I hope we never have to go through such an experience again.”

The Sudanese army’s control over Khartoum encouraged Mujtaba to return home. But he encountered a different reality—the house had suffered extensive damage, with visible signs of fire inside. He explains that the Rapid Support Forces had used the house as a clinic for their wounded members.

He adds:
“We found blood clots, knives, and clothes that did not belong to us. The scene was very bad—our situation is like that of many Sudanese.”

Return Home
After settling back into their home, Mujtaba faced further hardship. Basic services such as electricity and water were unavailable. He says:
“We had to carry water from distant places, and we were the only ones in the neighborhood. Even transportation lines were not functioning. When we needed food, we had to travel long distances by carts. The scene was bleak, and the suffering was immense. But the joy of returning home helped us endure it all after the exhausting journey of displacement.”

Despite life gradually returning to many neighborhoods in Khartoum State after three years of war, the memories carried by Sudanese people remain heavy with stories and sorrow. Returnees are trying to rebuild their lives after the destruction of their homes and livelihoods, hoping that such an experience will never be repeated—and that Sudan will finally enjoy peace and stability.