Omdurman: Underwent Vandalization, Life Returns to the Oldest Sudanese Neighborhood

Omdurman: Sudanese Echoes Team

(Life is very normal, the voices of street vendors and fixed ones using loudspeakers .. a state of marketing interaction for the prices of vegetables, meat, oranges and mangoes. A people who do not know defeat, do not know submission, and do not know the way to fear).

This is how life returned to normal situation in the oldest Sudanese neighborhoods after the war launched by the rebel Rapid Support (RSF) Militia against the Sudanese people with the support and backing of the United Arab Emirates.

Vehicles Influx

Entering the city of Omdurman, one feels a sense of life, its pulse, its movement, its noise and its interaction, moreover a sense of returning home, a sense of security and safety. Also returning to the days of yore laden with honest and noble memories.
The flow of small buses coming from the north and large buses loaded with passengers continues, driven by dreams of returning, entering the downtown (heart) of Omdurman.

Electricity Return

I asked one of the arrivals: where are you coming from? He answered me without focusing, without paying attention, and without interacting: From Ad-Damar, and to where? He said to our house in Beit Al-Mal. Those who came before us said that water and electricity services are working, and some bakeries and shops, despite their small number, have started working.

Noisy Life

We, (Sudanese Echoes platform), continued on this Omdurman tour on Al-Wadi Street; from the Nile Street, which is located east of Omdurman and extends from the Halfaya Bridge in the north to the Medical Corps in the south. During this war, it has become a security belt and an extended garrison. Here the Nile resides and carries between its banks bloody stories and tales of the rebel militia that did not happen even in the Middle Ages. As for the west, there is Al-Wadi Street, where life seems to be between noisy and active, especially in the evenings. Cars are driving and lights decorate the road. Some are shopping, and others are walking. Clothing and goldsmith market owners opened their shops, and mobile phone shops provide sales and maintenance services such as Samsung and some other companies. Life is more prosperous from the traffic light in Nile City to Al-Thawra 12 roundabout. The most prominent supermarkets are (Daisy Hyper), (Mall Al-Yageen), (Paradise), and (Al Mansi). Consumer goods are clearly abundant and diverse, but they are expensive. Trucks fill the time and place loaded with flour, sugar, and other goods in a frenzied activity. Most transactions are through bankak application of Khartoum Bank, external transfers, and a few from other states. Bakeries are numerous and bread is within reach, but some citizens are let down by their (pockets), especially since people’s circumstances are difficult and they are suffering, but buying does not stop, and the convictions that this is a nation that will not starve with its solidarity and support for each other. They may be exhausted by high prices and hardship, but they are haunted by certainty and lofty, noble convictions.

Free Bread and Multiple Hospices (Takayas)

(Sudanese Echoes) noticed that some vehicles of the armed forces and the National Intelligence Service enter some shelters loaded with mobile hospices (takayas), as well as voluntary organizations working diligently through (takayas) and distributing food supplies and some medicine to support the citizen. The attention of (Sudanese Echoes) was drawn by a bakery in Rawda city that distributes free bread, and the Human Appeal Organization for Genteel Needy Families (HAOGNF) has a (takiya) in neighborhood 76, accommodating (7,000 citizens). Furthermore HAOGNF distributed more than 5,000 health bags in different areas of Greater Omdurman. It has also other projects in some of the safe cities of the country. There are also scattered (takayas), the most prominent of which is Fakat-Reeg (breaking fast) takiya of the journalist colleague Osman Al-Gundi, which has been operating since the beginning of the war, Shahinda takiya and other Takayas here and there that indicate the greatness of this generous people. In addition to the above-mentioned charitable acts, there also are multiple shelters.

Culture of War atmosphere

Life is moving in a rhythm and consistency towards beautiful stability, cars are refueled, and the building materials shops are loaded with all the needs for renovation and rebuilding what the war devastated. The movement of people is dictated by necessity to coexist with the war, whereas the roar of cannons does not stop and has become a regular natural program. The sounds of cannons are distinguished by children before adults. It is the atmosphere of war, its culture rituals.

Unknown Soldiers

Hospitals, clinics, and health centers are expanding day and night to serve the citizen. If we take Al-Naw Hospital as an example, we find that what it does is beyond description. The work team is led by specialized doctors and their assistants, headed by Dr. Jamal and Dr. Aamir and other unknown soldiers who work with high enthusiasm and courage. They work day and night, devoting all their experience and knowledge to patients and the injured on the battlefield and to the simple people. Their work makes you stand in admiration for them because they left everything and dedicated themselves to serving the homeland, the citizen and our valiant soldiers. Thanks to them and thanks to those who contributed and now being contributed to operating this great edifice, as life is between normalcy and looking forward to a safe tomorrow and sustainable health.

Things are Resembles

On our tour of Al-Noss and Al-Shingeetti Streets; the most famous streets in Omdurman, we can say that things are similar, but the conditions vary, and the needs differ. The old Omdurman was without water and electricity; however, water and electricity services have returned to all parts of it, and some families have returned, and shops have started working and some bakeries have started to resume their activity, here and there. Despite their scarcity, you feel safe and secure. Some families depend on the (Takaya) that do great humanitarian action, and others rely on transfers. Transportation extends until it reaches the center of Omdurman and Al-Shohada (Martyrs Square); in a range that we can say is above average. Al-Arda neighborhood lacks some services, and has a small population, but they are increasing daily. However, the population of Ombada, the first neighborhood and Al-Gimaiab, are more fortunate.

Omdurman’s food basket

“Sudan Echoes” toured the northern countryside of Omdurman, and got to know many neighborhoods, which are a mixture of civilian and military neighborhoods. The most prominent neighborhoods adjacent to the Nile are Al-Nofalab, Al-Sarorab, Al-Shiheinab, Al-Jazirah Islang, Al-Wadi-Al-Abyad and others. This countryside is considered Omdurman’s food basket, producing vegetables and fruits. It developed during the war period, by storing them in refrigerators. It became completely dependable on for agricultural and animal production.