In brief
The ongoing civil war in Sudan has deeply affected the lives of many, including 26-year-old Amal Abdelazeem, who has taken on the daunting role of treating wounded fighters and civilians alike. Once filled with hope after toppling a dictator, her generation now faces terrible choices as they navigate a war that has destroyed their dreams and futures.
In the heart of Sudan’s war-torn cities, a young woman has become a beacon of resilience. Amal Abdelazeem, at just 26 years old, has taken on the challenging yet vital role of a frontline medical worker amid an escalating civil conflict. Despite lacking formal medical training, she works tirelessly in a makeshift clinic, treating both combatants and civilians alike, striving to save lives as wounded individuals arrive in battered vehicles outside her door.As drones hover ominously overhead and snipers line buildings, the atmosphere is rife with danger. Yet, in her words, the war has transformed her into a “different person”, shaping her into a proactive responder in times of crisis. Amal is part of a generation that boldly protested to remove a long-standing dictatorship in 2019, believing they were paving the way for a better, brighter Sudan. "We needed a new Sudan," she recalls, reflecting on the optimism she once felt. However, the brutal reality of civil war quickly shattered those dreams, forcing many young people like her into dire circumstances.With the war igniting tensions between rival military factions last year, Amal and her peers are now faced with a harrowing choice: align with the soldiers they once opposed or find other means to survive. She is not alone; former democracy activists have taken up arms, artists have launched food kitchens, and lawyers are gathering testimonies of sexual violence as millions escape the conflict. Amal’s journey is emblematic of the struggle many face, embodying the hope that existed only a short time ago and the painful reality of navigating a country embroiled in war. Her story serves as a reminder of the personal costs of conflict and the resilience required to cope with its aftermath.
