“It’s beyond anything I could imagine”, testifies a resident of Khartoum, “shocked” by the fighting which is shaking the country

Fighting continues Monday, April 17 between the Sudanese armed forces led by Abdel Fattah al-Bourhane and the paramilitaries of the rapid support forces. The face to face is still uncertain as the two armies have been engaged in a propaganda war since Saturday. In Khartoum, the conflict has turned into urban guerrilla warfare. Despite the calls for de-escalation which are multiplying abroad, the two camps continue their fratricidal war. Without water or electricity in some neighborhoods, civilians live in the crossfire.

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The exchanges of fire are continuous in Khartoum despite the announcement of a three-hour humanitarian truce supposed to allow civilians to evacuate the combat zones. Amid the chaos, some residents ventured onto the streets to stock up on supplies from the few stalls still open. Inside, people are jostling: “It’s beyond anything I could imagine. I’m in shock”testifies Kamal who has had no food for two days. “If the two parties do not negotiate, the country will fragment. Unfortunately, we expected that.”

“It is the citizens who shed their blood”

Despite the risk of a stray bullet, men have spread a carpet on the ground to share iftar, the breaking of the fast in this holy month of Ramadan. “It’s a war between two armies, but it’s the citizens who shed their blood”laments a resident.

“You don’t know who will win, both forces are strong, but civilians find themselves caught in the crossfire. These are tough days, you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”

a resident of Khartoum

at franceinfo

The inhabitants of the district hasten to return home, night falls and the fighting redoubles in intensity.