War broke out in Khartoum on April 15, 2023, catching civilians like Wanis and his wife, Intisar, off guard. The couple, who belonged to the Nuba people, had planned to visit Wanis’s cousin in Bahri, but clashes at the airport between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces disrupted their plans. Despite the risks, Wanis decided to proceed with the hospital visit, while Intisar feared they might be targeted due to their ethnicity.
Wanis and Intisar had built a life in Ombada, a poor neighborhood in Khartoum, where they lived with their seven children. The area was poorly developed, with limited resources and services for the residents. Despite Wanis’s job as a courier providing some stability, the outbreak of war put their lives in jeopardy, forcing them to consider fleeing to the Nuba Mountains, where they still had relatives.
As the conflict escalated, Wanis and his family embarked on a dangerous journey to the Nuba Mountains, hoping to find safety among their own people. Along the way, they encountered checkpoints, violence, and hunger, highlighting the harsh realities faced by many civilians in war-torn Sudan. Despite the challenges, Wanis remained determined to protect his family and find refuge in a place he could call home.
