Enduring the Nightmare: A Mother's Courage Amid Sudan's Civil War

As the civil war in Sudan rages, Alawia Babiker Ahmed's traumatic experience of miscarriage and her brave rescue of an abandoned infant highlight the devastating impact of the conflict on countless lives. With families facing extreme danger and scarcity, hope remains in the face of despair.

In the chaotic backdrop of Sudan’s ongoing civil war, 19-year-old Alawia Babiker Ahmed faced unimaginable trials as she fled the violent turmoil overtaking her homeland. During a harrowing three-day trek of approximately 70 kilometers (around 45 miles) from el-Fasher to Tawila, Alawia experienced a miscarriage, a moment of profound loss that did not extinguish her spirit. She recounted to the BBC, “I was bleeding on the way,” although she quickly acknowledged encountering others who were suffering far worse.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has deteriorated dramatically since fighting erupted in April 2023 between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). With over 12 million people uprooted from their homes, Darfur remains one of the most afflicted regions, with the RSF asserting control over vast areas while the army retains el-Fasher amid relentless bombardments.

Fleeing the escalation of violence, Alawia and her family faced additional hardships. Not only did they navigate air strikes, but they also encountered the grim reality of finding an infant abandoned by a deceased mother on the roadside. Alawia took it upon herself to rescue the child, stating, “We covered the mother and kept going.”

Her brother, Marwan Mohamed Adam, 21, faced his own peril on the journey, recalling how RSF-allied gangs assaulted him, leaving him beaten and robbed. "You feel fear, you feel like you are already dead," he shared, describing his trauma while dodging more violence.

The relentless assault on civilians has led to a staggering death toll and countless abandoned lives. Another survivor, Khadija Ismail Ali, revealed the tragedy of losing 11 family members during the bombardments, alongside children who succumbed to thirst under desperate circumstances.

Alawia and her family encountered insurmountable challenges, from losing their meager supplies to being denied water by RSF fighters, who remained indifferent to their desperate plight. Despite their struggles, they persevered, finally reaching Tawila, where they gratefully found temporary shelter.

Now recuperating, Alawia expressed a mix of gratitude and anxiety about their future. "Life is OK, thank God, but we worry about the future," she stated. Meanwhile, Marwan yearns to seek refuge abroad to pursue his education and salvage a semblance of normalcy.

Across Sudan, similar stories of loss, resilience, and hope continue to unfold, as millions endure the harsh realities of a conflict that seems interminable.