In the midst of turmoil and displacement, stories of resilience and hope emerge, offering glimpses into the human spirit’s enduring strength. Al-Ramiz Nasreddin, hailing from Wad Madani, Sudan, shares her remarkable journey of survival from the outbreak of war to finding refuge in Ethiopia.
In this exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj, she sheds light on the challenges faced, moments of fear, and the unwavering determination to carve a path towards peace and stability.
Question: Hello, could you please introduce yourself?
Answer: Hello. I am Al-Ramiz Nasreddin. Originally from the city of Wad Madani, I’ve travelled across Sudan, from Halaib to Al-Delenj, which has shaped my character and allowed me to embrace Sudanese societal diversity.
Q: We’d like to know more about you. What is your social status?
A: I am married and a mother to a three-year-old child.
Q: Where were you at the outbreak of the April 15th war?
A: In the month before April 15th, I was in Egypt. On March 15th, I returned to Sudan with my family for vacation, planning to stay for two months. When the war broke out, I was in North Kordofan State with my family, while my husband was in Khartoum and witnessed the war from there.
Q: Where was your husband during the war? Were you able to meet?
A: He was in the Jebel Awlia area throughout the war. Communication was risky due to its occupation by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), but he eventually left, and we began our displacement journey.
Q: Can you describe your displacement journey? How did you manage to leave, and what compelled you to flee?
A: Our journey began after my husband left Jebel Awlia and reached North Kordofan. We decided to return to Egypt, our original place of residence, traveling from Kordofan to Port Sudan.
Q: Why did you decide to go to Port Sudan?
A: The Egyptian consulate relocated to Port Sudan, requiring us to go there for visa procedures. Visa issuance delays led my child and me to travel ahead for expediency, leaving my husband in Port Sudan in case of emergency during the war.
Afterward, I travelled to the Arqin border crossing between Sudan and Egypt on June 9th last year. The Egyptian authorities required children and women to have a visa to enter Cairo from June 10th onwards, unlike before the war.
Q: What happened during your journey to Egypt at the Arqin border crossing, especially considering you have a child under three years old?
A: We got stuck on the road and spent the night in Arqin due to the long queue to enter Egypt. The next morning, an Egyptian officer boarded our bus and forced everyone without an entry visa to disembark.
Q: Where was your extended family? Did they flee with you?
A: My immediate family fled because the situation with our extended family, mostly men in the Sudanese Armed Forces, was complicated.
Q: What was the most challenging situation you faced in North Kordofan?
A: While we anticipated war due to Sudan’s political climate, the shock came when it erupted in Khartoum, a first in its scale and duration. The fear of losing my child amid the conflict was most terrifying.
Q: Have you lost any family members?
A: Yes, many extended family members are in the armed forces. A relative, a graduate of the Sudan Military College, was martyred in the Battle of Muwailih in North Omdurman.
Q: What moment stands out most vividly in your memory?
A: I can’t forget the scene at the Arqin desert, standing at the Sudanese-Egyptian border, within sight of Egypt’s borders. It felt like crossing hell itself. It was incredibly frightening, with all Sudanese citizens trying to flee the country, as if our lives depended on it.
Q: What were the most challenging aspects of the journey from North Kordofan to reaching the Arqin crossing?
A: Our journey didn’t end when we paused. I’m currently in Ethiopia. After finding the Sudanese-Egyptian borders closed, we returned to Port Sudan to sort things out, hoping to get an entry visa to Egypt. But it seemed impossible.
We then went to Al-Gadarif State, staying there for a week, realizing we had to leave Sudan at any cost for the safety of our child. We travelled to Ethiopia by road, and here I am now.
Q: Did you experience any hardships while in Ethiopia?
A: The dire situation is evident to me through witnessing significant violations, enforced disappearances of women, and killings. Yet, some still believe in continuing the war and using military solutions to defeat one party. I don’t believe weapons are the answer to Sudan’s crisis.
Q: Were you able to communicate with your extended family while in Ethiopia amidst the communication blackout in different Sudanese states?
A: During the initial communication blackout, I suffered, especially since some family members are affiliated with the regime’s forces. It was terrifying, fearing that someone could die at any moment.
These were the anxieties that plagued me the most during the internet blackout. I can imagine the pain people endure, for instance, when the network returns after a week, only to find out that a loved one has passed away.
Q: What challenges have you encountered in Addis Ababa?
A: The challenges here differ from those faced by other Sudanese. Visa fees to stay in Ethiopia amount to a hundred dollars per month, and job opportunities are scarce. We’re not permitted to work legally, and there’s instability as we haven’t applied for asylum with the UNHCR due to the stringent application conditions.
Q: Have you thought about building a life in Addis Ababa after your time in Ethiopia?
A: By next July, I’ll have spent a year in Ethiopia. During this time, I’ve been involved in civil society activities, contributing as a member of the Sudanese Youth Network in Ethiopia. I feel we’re making progress in our work.
Q: What motivates and gives you hope?
A: From two perspectives: As a mother, I must remain resilient despite the harsh conditions. Secondly, observing Sudan’s political cycle, characterized by instability since independence, motivates me. The youth’s rejection of Sudan’s repeated failures and recent initiatives like emergency room activities and protests inspire me to keep working for change through various means like art and advocacy campaigns.
Q: Any message for your family in Sudan?
A: I wish them safety and well-being. I urge them to remain patient and resilient during these difficult times. I regret not being able to alleviate their suffering.
Q: Any final words for the warring parties?
A: My message to both sides of the conflict is to sit down at the negotiating table. We’re tired of a war that has lasted over a year, with Sudanese people bearing the brunt. We yearn for peace, civility, and democracy, and many lives have been lost for these aspirations. I implore the conflicting parties to heed these voices and seek a peaceful resolution.