Sudan’s Ramadan festivities are subdued this year as the country grapples with the grim realities of a year-long conflict. Millions find themselves displaced and hungry as clashes persist between the military and RSF.
Mohamed Ali, breaking his fast in a Port Sudan displacement center, lamented the stark difference from past Ramadan customs. Gone are the communal gatherings; instead, he and many others rely on volunteer-run community kitchens for a modest Iftar meal.
The conflict, now nearing its first anniversary, erupted last Ramadan amid tensions within Sudan’s power-sharing arrangement. Over 8.5 million people have been displaced, and an alarming 18 million face severe food shortages, according to the UN.
Despite the challenges, some Sudanese maintain their tradition of hospitality. Sheikh Khalid Abdul Rahman of Omdurman noted that while the war has deterred some, others continue to offer refuge and support to those in need.
Amid this backdrop, hopes for peace flicker. The United States aims to revive peace talks post-Ramadan, though previous attempts have faltered.
Hanan Hassan, serving at an Omdurman community kitchen, voices the collective desire to end the conflict once and for all: “Everyone has had enough of war. We need, God willing with his power, to stop the war once and for all.”
