Displaced families from Sudan are making their way back to Omdurman, located west of Khartoum, to observe the holy month of Ramadan, as the city shows signs of recovery following nearly two years of conflict.
Recently, Omdurman was liberated from the control of Sudanese paramilitary forces, enabling residents to return to their homes. However, many returnees, such as Awad Zayed, discovered their properties in a state of disrepair, with visible damage from gunfire, debris, and destruction.
Despite these obstacles, daily life is slowly improving. Local resident Yousef Abdul Qader remarked that while food prices were initially inflated, the reopening of roads and stabilization of supply routes are helping markets return to a sense of normalcy. “Every day, people are coming back to their homes, and life is gradually returning to normal,” he stated.
In addition, charitable organizations are stepping up to assist families returning to the area. Gaith Abdul Qader, who operates a community kitchen, mentioned that Omdurman was nearly deserted last year, but now his team is providing meals to dozens of individuals each day.
At the same time, Sudan’s military is making progress against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). With advances into Greater Khartoum, military forces are focused on reclaiming essential government institutions, signaling a potential turning point in a conflict that has displaced millions and resulted in tens of thousands of deaths since April 2023.
