In the besieged city of El-Fasher, civilians document their struggles through makeshift means, shedding light on the humanitarian crisis fueled by a relentless civil war.
**Surviving the Siege: Voices from El-Fasher in Sudan's Ongoing Civil War**
**Surviving the Siege: Voices from El-Fasher in Sudan's Ongoing Civil War**
Residents share harrowing experiences of survival amidst escalating violence and famine in Darfur.
Heba Bitar, BBC Eye Investigations, el-Geneina
In a stark account of life in war-torn Darfur, the stories of Hafiza, Mostafa, and Manahel illustrate the harrowing conditions faced by civilians trapped in El-Fasher. As Sudan's civil war continues, these young individuals have turned to makeshift means of sharing their experiences using mobile phones smuggled in by BBC World Service amidst a year-long siege that has severed their ties to the outside world.
Hafiza, just 21 years old, mourns the loss of her mother, who was killed during a shelling incident while selling goods at the market. Left to care for her five-year-old brother and teenage sisters, she grapples with the heavy responsibility and overwhelming grief as she recounts her life turned upside down. The reality in El-Fasher has deteriorated since the conflict erupted two years ago, creating a humanitarian disaster that has resulted in the biggest displacement crisis globally.
Under constant bombardment and blockaded by the paramilitary group RSF, the city has seen an epidemic of violence targeting civilians. The ongoing power struggle between RSF and Sudan's military, once allies in a coup, has plunged the region into chaos. RSF's siege has restricted access to essential resources, forcing residents to rely on community support.
Mostafa, a 32-year-old volunteer, captures the explosive sounds of his daily life in an effort to document the struggles around him. After returning home to find his house damaged and looted, he feels disheartened, noting, “Everything was turned upside down." His footage also depicts the dire lack of clean water and food shortages that are heightening the risk of famine in the city.
Meanwhile, Manahel, who had just graduated university before the violence escalated, finds herself in a conflict where survival and humanitarian assistance have become intertwined. Together with Mostafa, she volunteers to cook and distribute meals to displaced people, many of whom face pricing crises. “Every family is equal now – there is no rich or poor," she observes, illuminating the grim reality shared by all.
The severity of the conflict continues to be exacerbated by allegations of war crimes from both sides, with a dire humanitarian response severely lacking. As Hafiza reveals her fears about potential sexual violence should the city fall into RSF’s control, the plight of those from non-Arab communities deepens, bringing back painful memories of previous atrocities in other parts of Darfur.
The UN has reported up to 2,000 casualties within El-Fasher since the siege began, underscoring the critical humanitarian need. As nighttime descends and darkness blankets the city, residents fear setting lights due to the threat of drone attacks, adding another layer of anxiety to their already precarious lives.
With families fractured and futures uncertain, the trio ultimately made the decision to leave El-Fasher in search of safety. As Manahel reflects on their departure, she speaks for many others: “We are leaving without knowing our fate. Will we ever return? We don’t know what will happen.” The ongoing struggle and cries for stability remain a haunting echo from this corner of Sudan, where hope continually battles against despair.
In a stark account of life in war-torn Darfur, the stories of Hafiza, Mostafa, and Manahel illustrate the harrowing conditions faced by civilians trapped in El-Fasher. As Sudan's civil war continues, these young individuals have turned to makeshift means of sharing their experiences using mobile phones smuggled in by BBC World Service amidst a year-long siege that has severed their ties to the outside world.
Hafiza, just 21 years old, mourns the loss of her mother, who was killed during a shelling incident while selling goods at the market. Left to care for her five-year-old brother and teenage sisters, she grapples with the heavy responsibility and overwhelming grief as she recounts her life turned upside down. The reality in El-Fasher has deteriorated since the conflict erupted two years ago, creating a humanitarian disaster that has resulted in the biggest displacement crisis globally.
Under constant bombardment and blockaded by the paramilitary group RSF, the city has seen an epidemic of violence targeting civilians. The ongoing power struggle between RSF and Sudan's military, once allies in a coup, has plunged the region into chaos. RSF's siege has restricted access to essential resources, forcing residents to rely on community support.
Mostafa, a 32-year-old volunteer, captures the explosive sounds of his daily life in an effort to document the struggles around him. After returning home to find his house damaged and looted, he feels disheartened, noting, “Everything was turned upside down." His footage also depicts the dire lack of clean water and food shortages that are heightening the risk of famine in the city.
Meanwhile, Manahel, who had just graduated university before the violence escalated, finds herself in a conflict where survival and humanitarian assistance have become intertwined. Together with Mostafa, she volunteers to cook and distribute meals to displaced people, many of whom face pricing crises. “Every family is equal now – there is no rich or poor," she observes, illuminating the grim reality shared by all.
The severity of the conflict continues to be exacerbated by allegations of war crimes from both sides, with a dire humanitarian response severely lacking. As Hafiza reveals her fears about potential sexual violence should the city fall into RSF’s control, the plight of those from non-Arab communities deepens, bringing back painful memories of previous atrocities in other parts of Darfur.
The UN has reported up to 2,000 casualties within El-Fasher since the siege began, underscoring the critical humanitarian need. As nighttime descends and darkness blankets the city, residents fear setting lights due to the threat of drone attacks, adding another layer of anxiety to their already precarious lives.
With families fractured and futures uncertain, the trio ultimately made the decision to leave El-Fasher in search of safety. As Manahel reflects on their departure, she speaks for many others: “We are leaving without knowing our fate. Will we ever return? We don’t know what will happen.” The ongoing struggle and cries for stability remain a haunting echo from this corner of Sudan, where hope continually battles against despair.
