Darfur’s War-Torn Residents Find Solace in Handwritten Letters
Residents of Darfur, a war-ravaged region in Sudan, have resorted to handwritten letters as a means of communication due to the lack of cell service and phone calls. In a region plagued by violence and conflict, this bygone form of communication has become a lifeline for the people of Darfur.
Ahmed Issa, a 25-year-old resident, sits in a roadside cafe in El Daein, 150km southeast of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state. He pens a letter to his relatives left behind in Nyala, where he explains that letters are often the only way to get news in and out of the city. With ongoing battles between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), contacting loved ones has become increasingly difficult.
The situation in Darfur has deteriorated significantly since the war began five months ago. The region, which is roughly the size of France and home to a quarter of Sudan’s population, has experienced horrific violence and atrocities. This brings back painful memories of the years-long war that began in 2003, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of over two million people.
Writing a letter has become a painstaking process for Ahmed. He folds it carefully, acknowledging that it may take up to a week for the letter to reach his relatives, and there’s no guarantee they can send one back due to the treacherous roads.
The violence in Darfur has shifted from El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, to Nyala. In late August, shelling hit homes in Nyala, killing 39 civilians, mostly women and children. Over a span of ten days, more than 50,000 people fled the violence, exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis in a city where one in four individuals required aid even before the war. Water and electricity networks have also failed, leaving the residents in dire conditions.
Ahmed Gouja, a human rights defender, highlights the desperation faced by the people of Darfur who yearn for news about their loved ones. He reports on the gruesome violence unfolding in Nyala through Twitter, known as X. He shares stories of entire families being killed and reveals that he spent 16 days without any information about his own family before finally managing to contact one of his brothers.
Suleiman Mofaddal, based in El Daein, witnesses the anxiety of families seeking news about their loved ones in Nyala. In his small office, he receives hand-written letters containing names and sometimes even phone numbers. These letters are then entrusted to taxi drivers who transport them to Nyala. Often, the recipients immediately write a response and return it to the drivers.
The road to Nyala is treacherous, rife with bombs, militia checkpoints, and the hazards of Sudan’s rainy season. Despite the risks, people are determined to do anything to ensure the safety of their loved ones.
In a region scarred by conflict and violence, the simple act of writing a letter has become a symbol of hope and a connection to the outside world for the war-torn residents of Darfur. Though the road ahead remains uncertain, they persist in their efforts to stay connected and find solace in the handwritten messages that bridge the distance between them and their loved ones.
