Khartoum’s Gravedigger Faces Grim Realities Amid Ongoing Civil War
The Sudanese military has regained significant ground in Khartoum, capturing the presidential palace from the RSF. As the conflict deepens, civilians endure horrific losses, exemplified by Abidin Durma, a gravedigger burials up to 50 bodies a day. Families, particularly children, are suffering tremendously, leading to a chronic state of fear and loss amid ongoing fighting.
The Sudanese Armed Forces have recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), foreshadowing a potential reestablishment of control over the capital after two years of conflict. Khartoum has been the epicenter of the brutal civil war, marked by significant battles and civilian suffering including deaths, destruction, and dire human rights violations, culminating to widespread famine.
Recent military efforts have focused on reclaiming various districts of Khartoum, with notable advances completed in the last week. Soldiers were observed rallying in Khartoum North, demonstrating high morale as they prepared for battle. By the following day, the military made substantial progress, breaching RSF defenses and strengthening their position in the central region of the city.
One prominent figure during this turmoil is Abidin Durma, the gravedigger of Omdurman, who has witnessed the harrowing consequences of the war firsthand. He oversees the Ahmed Sharfi Cemetery, which has expanded significantly due to the war’s high fatality rate, burying dozens of bodies daily as hospitals are overwhelmed and safe burial grounds become scarce.
Mr. Durma efficiently prepares for burials, noting unfavorable conditions such as the lack of refrigeration for corpses. His grim schedule allows for minimal rest, highlighting the staggering toll of violence as artillery strikes regularly claim civilian lives. The desperate plea for safe passage echoes in the words of families coping with unimaginable loss amid the ongoing conflict.
As families mourn their dead, the community is enveloped in grief. Omnia, a child who survived a deadly shelling, serves as a poignant reminder of the innocence lost. Her family strives to shield future generations from the shadow of war while grappling with their profound loss. The effects of constant violence permeate daily life, as parents express their desperate attempts to protect their children from the psychological scars of ongoing shelling.
Despite potential military victories, the broader conflict continues to inflict suffering across Sudan. Even if the army secures Khartoum, the consequences of war will reverberate long after the last shots are fired, leaving a legacy of trauma and sorrow.
The situation in Khartoum illustrates the devastating impact of the civil war on Sudanese civilians, with ongoing military clashes resulting in significant loss of life and widespread suffering. Abidin Durma’s experiences as a gravedigger vividly portray the grim reality faced by many. As families endure the trauma of war, the comprehensive consequences will persist, affecting generations to come, regardless of any military victories that may occur.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
