The army has begun a significant offensive in the nation’s capital, Khartoum, targeting areas held by its fierce foe, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, following 17 months of a bloody civil war that has destroyed most of the nation.
At the beginning of the fight, the RSF took control of much of Khartoum, but the army maintained control over Omdurman, the twin city located directly across the Nile.
However, there are still locations where individuals are able to pass between the two sides.
At one such location, I ran into a group of women who had trekked for four hours to a market on the outskirts of Omdurman, which is under army control and has cheaper food.
The women had traveled from Dar es Salaam, which is under RSF control.
They informed me that their husbands were no longer leaving the house because RSF fighters had beaten them, siphoned their earnings, or had imprisoned them and demanded money in exchange for their release.
“We put up with this struggle so that we can provide for our kids.” One said, “We need food; we’re hungry.”
Note: There are some graphic details in the story.
I wondered, were the women any safer than the men? How about sexual assault?
The cacophony of voices subsided.
One then burst forth.
“Where is the globe located? Why won’t you assist us? She spoke, tears streaming down her cheeks as she spoke in a torrent.
