Highlights: Heavy fighting has been fighting since mid-April between General al-Burhan's Sudanese armed forces and General Hemedti's paramilitary forces. In Khartoum, civilians are desperately trying to flee the clashes, which have already killed more than 400 people. A resident tells her departure from the capital and in recent days. "There is a lot of anger at having to leave your home and plan your flight," says Dallia Abdelmoniem, who left on April 20.

TESTIMONY

Clashes in Sudan: 'There is a lot of anger at having to leave your home and plan your flight'

Since 19 April, thousands of civilians have been trying to leave central Khartoum. Here, on April 21, in the south of the Sudanese capital. AFP--

Text by: Alexandra Brangeon Follow

4 mn

Heavy fighting has been fighting since mid-April between General al-Burhan's Sudanese armed forces and General Hemedti's paramilitary forces. In Khartoum, civilians are desperately trying to flee the clashes, which have already killed more than 400 people. A resident tells her departure from the capital and in recent days.

Advertising

Since 19 April, thousands of civilians have been trying to leave central Khartoum on foot or by car to seek shelter from fighting in quieter neighbourhoods or outside the capital. To achieve this, they had to endure questions or searches from men stationed at checkpoints of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Hemedti's paramilitaries, and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's army. And, in some cases, they have had to advance amid charred armored vehicles and pick-up trucks and sometimes even corpses littering the roadsides. Here is the testimony of Dallia Abdelmoniem, who lives in a neighborhood adjacent to Khartoum airport, and who left on April 20.

RFI: Can you tell us about your departure from Khartoum?

We had planned to leave the house the day before, but the fighting was so intense that it was impossible. When we were finally able to get out, we found our car completely destroyed. Fortunately, my family was able to pay someone who picked us up. We took small streets, discreet. We drove very slowly, without noise. Our phones were turned off, so they wouldn't ring. We were very careful. We were very lucky, we didn't encounter any roadblocks or soldiers who stopped us, asked for our papers, and asked us where we were going. I know people who left the day before, and they were arrested six times.

How was the city?

Empty! There was nothing. It was like a ghost town. No dogs, no animals, no humans... Nothing! It was really scary to see the city completely empty, it was surreal. Usually our neighborhood is very lively, there are bars, restaurants. And there, everything was closed. We didn't see a single person! Not a single one.

Did they see signs of fighting?

Honestly, I wasn't watching. I had two children in the car, as well as my mother who is a bit old. And so, I was just thinking about the path and the next step. But those who came to pick us up told us that they had seen bodies in the street. A friend who also left, told me that he had seen many bodies, everywhere. He told me to be careful, that the children don't look out the window. He didn't know if they were soldiers or civilians. But we got through it!

► READ ALSO: Clashes in Sudan: "You do not imagine how serious the situation is"

How have you been living these last few days?

We cried... I cried a lot, because it's been very hard the last few days. And, at the same time, I had to stay strong, calm and logical for the children. So, yes, I'm relieved that we were able to leave and that we are in a safe place, at least for now. But I also have to think about what comes next. What's going to happen? Will we be able to go home? Will we still have a house? I don't know! That's what worries me the most: I don't know what's going to happen!

► Read also: Sudan: how the rivalry between two powerful generals led to a bloody confrontation

I talked to friends, everyone is leaving the city, leaving to safety. For some, it's hard, it's their life here, especially old people or young people... How do you explain to a five-year-old that you have to leave because people are trying to kill you. Or rather that they don't care if you die. Because the bombs, the rockets, that fall on the houses, these houses are not targets. It's just that these soldiers shoot anywhere and they don't care where it falls.

So there's a lot of anger about having to leave your house, having to plan your escape, packing your bag. When I packed my suitcase, I didn't know what to put in it. I've never done that! What do we take and what do we leave behind! This is my home, I grew up here. So, yes I'm angry, I'm really angry.

Clashes in Sudan: 'There is a lot of anger at having to leave your home and plan your flight'

Clashes in Sudan: 'There is a lot of anger at having to leave your home and plan your flight'

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest