Voices of Resilience: Inside the Siege of el-Fasher Amid Sudan's Civil War

In el-Fasher, a city under siege as Sudan's civil war rages on, residents describe the despair and challenges they face following the loss of loved ones. With limited access to the outside world, smuggled phones have become vital for sharing their stories of grief, hunger, and fear. Despite the dangers, individuals like Hafiza, Mostafa, and Manahel strive to support displaced persons while navigating an environment rife with violence and uncertainty.

In el-Fasher, Sudan, where the horrors of the civil war unfold daily, the voices of residents are captured through smuggled smartphones provided by the BBC World Service. These devices are lifelines for those cut off from the outside world since el-Fasher has endured a year of siege, preventing journalists and assistance from reaching the beleaguered city.

Hafiza, a 21-year-old mourning her mother’s tragic death, shares her heart-wrenching story. "She left no last words. She was dead when she was carried away," recalls Hafiza, whose life has drastically changed since her mother's death during a market attack. With her father already gone, the young woman struggles to care for her five-year-old brother and two teenage sisters, now entirely reliant on her amidst relentless attacks from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The RSF, formerly allies with the Sudanese army, are now engaged in a brutal conflict leading to the world's largest humanitarian crisis. War crimes have been attributed to both sides, with rampant accusations of genocide particularly affecting non-Arab communities.

Hafiza recounts her feelings of despair and her self-imposed responsibilities of distributing essential supplies to fellow displaced individuals, as displacement shelters become overcrowded and food becomes scarce. "I spend my time crying alone at home," she admits, feeling shattered by her circumstances.

Mostafa, another resident sharing similar sentiments, records the chaos of bombings and looting. "Everything was turned upside down," he says, after an artillery shell damaged his home and left them without a safe place. He has dedicated himself to volunteering at a shelter for displaced individuals, where he bears witness to the plight of his fellow citizens.

Manahel, who had just finished university when the fighting erupted, has also witnessed the destruction of her community. Despite relocating to a safer area, she remains deeply concerned for the plight of those trapped in danger. Her father was killed during artillery fire while he chose to stay behind to protect their home and neighbors.

The UN reports alarming figures from el-Fasher, with nearly 2,000 casualties since the siege began. Basic necessities are rare; food prices have skyrocketed, pushing families into deeper hardship where wealth disparities are inescapably erased.

As attackers circle for control in el-Fasher, fears mount, particularly among women, as Hafiza voices the terror of potential rape if the RSF gains dominance over the area.

The resounding accounts have drawn attention, showing a conflict riddled with personal tragedy amid societal collapse. With the two years of civil war leading to severe humanitarian effects, the international community continues to pressure factions involved in the conflict.

The resilience portrayed by victims reflects the human spirit's unyielding struggle for survival, but also highlights the palpable uncertainty that looms over el-Fasher. Each departure from the shell-shocked city is a void filled with questions—“Will we ever return to el-Fasher?”—as families flee towards precarious futures outside their devastated homes.