Sudanese Band Aswat Almadina Keeps Hope Alive Through Music Amidst War

Sun Apr 19 2026 09:45:40 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In the face of ongoing conflict in Sudan, the members of the influential band Aswat Almadina continue to create music that inspires hope and unity, even from afar.

As war continues to ravage Sudan, the members of the band Aswat Almadina have scattered across the world, holding on to their roots and their music. They strive to inspire peace through their art, despite the challenges of conflict. Their new song 'Sudan' reflects the beauty and pain of their homeland, and they express their commitment to using music as a form of activism.

Members of one of Sudan's most influential bands, Aswat Almadina, are scattered across the world, clinging to the hope that their music will be an inspiration for peace in a nation ravaged by war.

Timon was among the six members of the band who left Sudan two months after the conflict started in 2023, traumatized by the sight of dead bodies, destroyed buildings, and burnt-out cars in the streets of the capital, Khartoum.

It was like something out of a zombie movie, Timon tells the BBC Focus on Africa podcast.

More than 150,000 people have died in the conflict, and about 12 million have fled their homes in what the United Nations has called the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

Timon - whose real name is Mohammed Almustafa - was among the founding members of Aswat Almadina, meaning Sounds of the City, in 2014. Their music blends Middle Eastern folk influences with urban pop and vibrant jazz, creating a distinctive and compelling sound from a once-peaceful city with an estimated population of more than seven million.

We called ourselves 'Sounds of the City' as Khartoum is our inspiration, says Timon. Our music comes from the atmosphere in Khartoum, the natural sounds of the city, the sounds of the people, the sounds of the streets.

They quickly built a devoted following, especially among Sudanese youth, and became the first Sudanese band to tour the country. One memorable performance left a lasting impression on Ibrahem Mahmoud, the co-founder and lead vocalist. I remember one time we were performing, and we saw one lady holding a sign that said: 'Your music saved my life.'

Their lyrics, addressing social justice, corruption, and the everyday struggles of young people, earned them recognition as UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors in 2017.

Before the uprising that saw longtime leader Omar al-Bashir ousted in 2019, Ibrahem was repeatedly arrested for songs critical of the political system. I got arrested a lot by national security because of what I was doing - singing the truth. Thank God I'm still alive, he says with a smile. He now lives in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.

Timon, meanwhile, is based in Cairo after a difficult journey from the UAE. I missed the birth of my second child because of that, he explains.

Despite the distance, the band continues to collaborate remotely, working on a new song titled 'Sudan'. The sounds of the weapons were loud, but there was always music going on, Ibrahem recalls. Music is my survival mechanism, it's always saving my life.

They believe the music will mean a lot to their fans at a time when the country continues to endure devastation. The arts have a power, says Ibrahem. It carries a lot of emotion for people. They hope Aswat Almadina will one day perform together again, uniting for a brighter future.

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