In brief
Amira, a pregnant woman trapped in Sudan's escalating conflict, recounts her perilous escape through war-torn regions held by the Rapid Support Forces. Facing extortion, armed threats, and treacherous travel conditions, she perseveres with the hope of recovery and security for her unborn child. This firsthand account highlights the dire humanitarian situation and personal struggles faced by civilians amidst a brutal civil war.
In the month of May, Amira embarked on a perilous journey through one of Sudan's most active war zones. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had just seized the city where she was living—En Nahud in the state of West Kordofan. The road out was dangerous, but she felt she had no choice. She was seven months pregnant.There were no hospitals anymore, no pharmacies, she shared. And I was afraid if I stayed longer, I wouldn't find any vehicles heading out. Travel had become almost non-existent: incredibly difficult and extremely expensive.For over two years, the civil war between the Sudanese military and the RSF has brutalized civilians, with the front line now shifted to southern Kordofan. To protect her identity, the BBC is not using her real name.As Amira fled, she recorded an audio diary that was made available by the global campaigns group Avaaz. We reached her by phone in Kampala, Uganda, where she is waiting to deliver her child.The journey began with trouble. RSF and its allies controlled all transport. When Amira and her husband boarded a truck, a fight broke out between the truck renter and the RSF driver, who was selling additional tickets.The driver pulled out his gun and threatened to shoot the young man who had rented the truck. Everyone was frozen with fear, Amira recounted, emphasizing the ever-present threat of violence.Their overloaded truck ventured down a rocky road filled with potholes and streams, packed with luggage and other fearful passengers. I was scared the entire time, she said. I kept praying the baby wouldn't come—just hoping everything would be okay.After facing multiple delays, extortion, and breakdowns, Amira and her husband managed to reach South Sudan, around 1,300 km away from En Nahud, taking refuge from the horrors left behind. Now, as she prepares to become a mother, she reflects on the uncertain future, hoping for improved conditions back home and fearing for family members who are still in Sudan.Amira’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the resilience of those striving for safety and a future amidst chaos.
