Since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, countless individuals remain tormented by uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones. Among them is Ahmed, a father whose son has been missing since 2023.
Ahmed suspects his son may have been arrested or forcibly conscripted.
“The disappearance of my son causes me immense pain. I dream of his return constantly, but each morning I awaken to the harsh reality of his absence. I pray every day for a swift reunion,” he shares.
Muhammad’s family has also been deeply affected by the war. His brother, Osman, went missing during the early fighting in Omdurman.
“Holding Osman’s son in my arms is a bittersweet reminder of his absence,” Muhammad says. “The child, who was just seven years old when his father disappeared, struggles to understand what has happened. The loss of a parent at such a young age is an indescribable pain.”
Despite numerous efforts to locate Osman through aid organizations and social media, Muhammad’s search has been fruitless. Yet, he holds onto hope that 2025 will bring reunions.
“We hope the new year will see the return of missing loved ones and the restoration of peace in our country,” Muhammad expresses. “I plead with both sides of the conflict to prioritize the well-being of the Sudanese people and to end the war.”
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced over one million people from the country. Families like Ahmed’s and Muhammad’s continue to bear the heavy burden of separation and loss, longing for a time when Sudan can reclaim peace and safety.
