After more than a week of violence in their hometown of Khartoum, Dallia Mohamed Abdelmoniem and her family made the “gut-wrenching” decision to flee.
They had intended to flee on April 19, but their vehicles were destroyed in the fighting that occurred near their residence. The following day, relatives assisted them in moving to the city’s periphery.
From there, they would have to choose between traveling 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) north to the Egyptian frontier and then to Cairo, or 850 kilometers (530 miles) north-northeast to Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
Both roads would be dangerous due to army-RSF fighting across the nation.
We skipped Egypt because we had children and elderly people with us. So it didn’t make sense,” she told, referring to their group of 23 family members.
They travelled to Port Sudan instead of Egypt because they were worried about border delays.
The trip lasted 26 hours.
“It took so long because the bus driver said he wasn’t taking any risks. He didn’t want to meet any RSF fighters, so he took a long way around,” she explained.
They were able to avoid RSF combatants, despite army checkpoints every few hours.
“I must say that they were quite courteous; they simply wanted to verify that we were family and that no RSF fighters were hiding among us,” she said.
Ms. Abdelmoniem said there were uplifting moments along the way, including when a group of people living by the side of the road rushed to their bus to offer them drinks, snacks, and well-wishes for their journey.
She said, “It is the only positive memory I will have of this time and a reminder that we have nothing to do with the fighting and suffering our country is experiencing.”
She stated that their bus arrived in Port Sudan on Monday evening, where everything was “very calm.”
It’s as if you’re on a different planet in Khartoum; you wouldn’t imagine there are any problems here.
However, their voyage has only just begun. Ms. Abdelmoniem believes that the violence will further destabilize the country in the coming weeks and months.
The International Rescue Committee’s Madiha Raza told that Sudan already faces “acute” food, water, medicine, and fuel shortages, as well as limited access to electricity and communications.
Ms. Raza stated, “Prices for essential items are rising substantially due to shortages,” and humanitarian operations have been suspended.
Ms. Abdelmoniem will take her mother to a safe country before returning to Sudan when it’s safe.
She said, “I don’t want to become a refugee; I want to return home; I call myself temporarily displaced.”
When asked how she felt about being forced to leave her home, she stated that it was “one of the worst feelings I’ve ever experienced; I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”
“I have no idea when I will return, nor if my home will still be standing. I would not inflict this feeling on anyone. “It’s horrible and heartbreaking,” she said.
In survival mode
As most of the fighting has been centered in Khartoum, a large number of residents have chosen to leave. Although it is presently difficult to determine the exact number.
However, many others have chosen to remain, even though this has not been a simple choice.
Targeted Abdin is among those who have chosen to remain in the capital despite hearing the fighting from her residence.
Despite a four-hour ceasefire, she had to stop the interview Tuesday due to fighting and shelling outside.
Ms. Abdin stated that she feels safer at home than on the streets, where she has heard stories and viewed online recordings of people being “attacked, robbed, or worse”
In addition, there are reports of deceased soldiers littering the streets and widespread looting.
“Currently, we have electricity and power, so we feel that staying inside is safer than venturing out,” she said, adding that this sentiment was shaken a few days ago when a nearby apartment block was damaged in the battle.
“We’re in survival mode,” she said of her family’s home situation, adding that they have electricity and running water.
“We’re hoping and praying for the power to stay on,” she said.
There are also logistical difficulties associated with departure, as bus ticket prices have skyrocketed. She stated that a bus ride that cost $20 (£16) before the fighting began now costs $300. And there are concerns regarding visas for her husband and adolescent sons if they reach the Egyptian border.
“Therefore, it is not a case of ‘pack your bags and run’ for us,” she said. “That may be the case for some people, but not for us.”
She added that she wished to convey a message to the combatants to “keep civilians out of this”
She stated, “If there is any type of agreement or external pressure, it must guarantee the lives and safety of the Sudanese people.”
