Three Years of Silence: The Weight of Sudan's Ongoing Conflict

Reconnecting Through Silence

Mohamed Suleiman, a dedicated journalist, found himself trapped in the chaos of el-Fasher for nearly three years as Sudan's civil war unfolded around him. On January 13, he walked into a telecommunications office in Port Sudan, tears streaming down his face, as he reconnected to the world that had largely forgotten him.

“Throughout the past three years, my phone was silent. After I inserted the SIM card, my tears flowed,” Suleiman stated, reflecting the agony of a silence that spoke volumes.

The Echo of Loss

When his phone finally buzzed back to life, it was an avalanche of missed messages—a dire inventory of loss, capturing moments of despair that had accumulated over years of conflict. Colleagues had perished, families had been devastated, and for many, Suleiman's name had become synonymous with death.

“A few days ago, a person called me saying he thought I had died,” he recounted. “Some people told him I was in Port Sudan, but he didn't believe me until I called him back by video. Then he broke down in tears.”

The silence, as Suleiman articulates, became as deadly as the violence itself. Blocked from communicating, he witnessed unfathomable brutality, including systematic killings conducted by drone strikes and a siege imposed by the RSF that left the city suffocated by despair.

The Day of Judgment

The capture of el-Fasher in October last year marked a pivotal moment, described by Suleiman as “the Day of Judgment on Earth.” Echoes of gunfire, combined with the anxious wails of civilians, transformed the city into a vestige of horror.

“We witnessed the Day of Judgment on Earth,” Suleiman recalled, noting the terror that enveloped the city.

The Brutality of War

As Sudan's civil war erupted from its epicenter in Khartoum on April 15, 2023, it rippled outward, permeating other regions and leaving the western area of Darfur in ruin. The RSF has been accused of war crimes as the conflict escalated, with civilians caught at the collision of military and paramilitary forces.

Millions have been displaced, some fleeing to neighboring countries as humanitarian crises deepened, making it one of the most severe in recent history.

Diplomatic Failures Amidst Humanitarian Crises

Despite numerous diplomatic efforts led by the U.S., a resolution remains a distant dream. With both the army and RSF backed by regional powers, their intractable positions impeded any meaningful dialogue. The U.N.'s humanitarian response has been stunted, with only a fraction of the required funds mobilized for essential aid.

“The world has failed to meet Sudan's enormous humanitarian need,” Suleiman lamented bitterly. “There is no ceasefire, no medicine, no basic necessities of life.”

After the Silence

In Port Sudan, while Suleiman was finally safe, he found himself grappling with a different kind of struggle—reclaiming his identity and navigating the complexities of a bureaucratic system overwhelmed by war's aftermath.

“I spent 22 days going around offices,” he shared. “What happens to the person who comes out of the war and has no one?”

Hope Amidst Despair

As Suleiman endeavors to rebuild his life, his commitment to sharing the stories that remain untold drives him. Beyond his personal battle of rights and recognition, he encapsulates the resilience of those who continue to suffer.

“There are events that happened that no one is left to narrate, and the memory remains only with us,” he stated passionately. “Until we die, we will convey the truth…”

Looking Forward

The weight of Suleiman's testimony lingers as Sudan grapples with a shattered identity. His work and perseverance highlight the necessity of accountability and the transformative power of storytelling in the face of adversity. If the international community continues to turn a blind eye, the silence of Sudan's citizens may echo for generations to come.