Consider This from NPR: After Two Years of Civil War, Sudan's Capital is a Shell of Its Former Self
Release Date: May 9, 2025
In this poignant episode of NPR's "Consider This," host Mary Louise Kelly delves deep into the heart-wrenching aftermath of a two-year-long civil war that has ravaged Sudan, particularly its capital, Khartoum. Through firsthand reporting and personal narratives, the episode paints a vivid picture of destruction, resilience, and the uncertain path toward rebuilding.
Introduction: The Devastation of Khartoum
Mary Louise Kelly sets the stage by highlighting the brutal civil war that has left Sudan in turmoil. Last month, NPR international correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu secured rare access to Khartoum, witnessing firsthand the extensive damage inflicted upon the city. Once bustling with over six million residents, Khartoum now stands largely destroyed, its infrastructure and monuments reduced to rubble.
“For more than two years, Sudan has been mired in a brutal civil war, a war that has devastated the country.”
— Mary Louise Kelly [00:00]
Personal Loss: Ammar Awad's Story
A central narrative revolves around Ammar Awad, a 48-year-old Sudanese producer who has spent most of his life in Khartoum. Awad shares a deeply personal account of his family's home, now a shell of its former self due to the conflict.
“This one, it's mine.”
— Ammar Awad [00:37]
Awad describes the destruction he witnessed:
“When you will see this, you will.”
— Ammar Awad [00:49]
The devastation of his family home symbolizes the broader loss experienced by countless Sudanese families. Despite the destruction, Awad expresses a profound sense of forgiveness towards those who perpetrated the violence.
“If he who ripped wood from this home... we forgive him.”
— Ammar Awad [01:14]
Destruction and Signs of Revival in Khartoum
Emmanuel Akinwotu provides a nuanced view of Khartoum's current state. Amidst the wreckage, glimpses of life and attempts at revival surface. Children navigating deserted streets on bicycles and small businesses tentatively reopening signify a community striving to reclaim normalcy.
“These are the scenes emerging from a city hollowed out by the war.”
— Emmanuel Akinwotu [03:59]
Cultural Heritage Under Siege: The National Museum
A significant portion of the episode focuses on the catastrophic damage to Sudan's National Museum. Emmanuel interviews Musa El Fedor, an archaeological researcher with 27 years at the museum, revealing the extensive looting and destruction carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“Every wire, they dig and take it. And also all the air conditioning.”
— Musa El Fedor [06:50]
The museum, home to nearly 100,000 artifacts spanning over 4,500 years, lies in ruins. Precious items, including mummies and relics from various eras, have been either stolen or destroyed, stripping Sudan of its rich historical legacy.
Humanitarian Crisis: Stories of Suffering and Survival
The episode doesn't shy away from the human cost of the conflict. Survivors like Munir Jalabi, a 24-year-old detained by the RSF, share harrowing accounts of abuse and inhumane conditions.
“His body is skeletal, his bones bulging through his skin.”
— Mary Louise Kelly [07:33]
Jalabi's mother, Afaf Abubakar, recounts the terror her family endured:
“She thought he'd died until she got the call that her son was at the hospital.”
— Mary Louise Kelly [08:25]
The Long Road to Recovery
As Khartoum begins to show signs of life, the enormity of the rebuilding task becomes apparent. Cleanup operations are underway, but the scale of destruction means that rebuilding the city will require several years and substantial financial investment.
“Their work only scratches the surface. It will take several years and billions of dollars to rebuild Khartoum.”
— Mary Louise Kelly [09:12]
Moreover, while infrastructure can be reconstructed, the deeply fractured social fabric of Sudan poses significant challenges to achieving lasting peace and unity.
“Only mourned and cherished in memories that.”
— Mary Louise Kelly [09:54]
Conclusion: A City in Ruins, A People Forgiving
The episode closes on a somber yet hopeful note, emphasizing the resilience of Sudanese people like Ammar Awad, who despite immense personal loss, hold onto forgiveness and the possibility of rebuilding. However, the scars of war run deep, and the path to a united Sudan remains fraught with challenges.
This episode of "Consider This" offers a comprehensive and emotionally charged examination of Sudan's capital amid and after a devastating civil war. Through intimate interviews and vivid descriptions, NPR underscores the profound losses and the daunting task that lies ahead for Khartoum and its people.