The “harrowing ordeal” of a British-Sudanese female over the past seven days in Khartoum, the capital city during clashes which have resulted hundreds of deaths.
Rozan Ahmed traveled to the country nine days ago to attend the funeral of her cousin.
Sudan has been shook by battles between the army and Rapid Support Forces paramilitary force. According to the United Nations, more than 400 people have died and at least 3500 others injured so far in the violence.
Khartoum is the hardest hit city, with many people trapped inside their homes.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Rishi sunak presided over an emergency COBRA Meeting to discuss the “extremely worrying” situation and plans to evacuate UK diplomatic personnel.
Ms Ahmed, speaking from Khartoum, told Sky News on Saturday: “I’ve been hiding under my mattress for the past six hours. The area where I live has been blown to pieces.
“I’ve heard only explosions, gunfire and shelling screams in the last six hours. It has only just died down.
“On top that, we have to deal the fact that rogue soldiers are walking our streets and randomly raiding our houses, plus we don’t even have water.”
Ms Ahmed, an activist and writer of British-Sudanese descent who lives in London or Dubai, reported that the situation has been the same every day for the past seven.
She said, “This war began on Saturday, 15 April. Seven days later, we are still here.”
“I am only alive by the grace and strength of God, as well as my family who are thankfully still alive. We are all mental devastated.
“I am terrified and so is my family. We are numb.”
Read more:Sudan clashes – Here’s the latest on the ground
PM Chairs COBRA Meeting over ‘extremely Concerning’ Situation
Britons in Sudan are urged to remain indoors while fighting rages throughout the capital
Ms Ahmed stated that her family still had food but no water or electricity.
I’ve been without running water for 7 days. I ran out of water to drink two days ago.
She claimed there was no communication from the British Embassy regarding her evacuation from the city.
“I don’t know why we didn’t receive any information about our evacuation,” said Ms Ahmed.
“As a British citizen, I have not heard anything from British Embassy. If there isn’t a plan to get you out, could you please explain why?
“If there were any logistical problems, or if there were airspace issues, then I would be informed, and I would be given an update as to why I was [still] in the same place seven days after I arrived.”
She asked if the conflict in an African country had any impact on the perception that the British government was slow to act in order to protect its citizens.
“It’s a shame that I’m not Ukrainian.
“It’s a shame that this isn’t a Eurocentric country. I imagine that if it wasn’t an African nation, and if I weren’t of African descent, my life would have been treated with a bit more value, importance, and priority,” said Ms Ahmed.
Please let us know the reason for not having a plan.
“This is the most painful experience of my entire life. I’m trying to reach my mother who is more upset than I am. I also need to know why we are here.”
Ms Ahmed called for an international intervention in the conflict.
“The world should exert pressure for an immediate ceasefire. These two factions need to stop fighting among innocent civilians. This is our sole plea.
These two factions need to find a way to dialogue and stop killing each other.
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