‘Hostages and human shields’: The civilian toll of Sudan’s crisis

With fighting in Sudan taking place in residential neighbourhoods, Civilians across Khartoum are scrambling to find safety, basic supplies and a safe exit from Sudan's capital [Courtesy of Moneim Algash]

Khartoum, Sudan – Majid Maali, 39, was excited to return to his home country, Sudan, on April 5. For the past 14 years, he had been based in Uganda, where he worked as a capacity-building officer for the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, an organisation that protects and promotes human rights defenders in the region.

He had returned to Khartoum to set up an office for the organisation there and was looking forward to spending time with friends and visiting his family in Darfur.