Freedom Restored: Tuti Island's Struggle Against Paramilitary Control

Residents of Sudan's Tuti island recount their hardships under Rapid Support Forces' control. The military has retaken the island, providing relief to its community. However, the impacts of the conflict continue to threaten the island's safety and resources, leaving its people in a precarious state.

Residents of Tuti island in Sudan have expressed relief after being freed from paramilitary control, describing the severe hardships they faced. Under the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), many were denied medical treatment and extorted for money, leading to a disrupted daily life.

The RSF, which clashed with the Sudanese army starting in April 2023, controlled parts of west Sudan, including the strategically important Tuti island situated at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile. Reports have been made of human rights violations, though the RSF denies these allegations.

Now under the army's control, local leaders urge residents to return. However, the island remains at risk, with threats of famine and disease still prevalent. The community, previously a peaceful spot by the Nile, continues to grapple with the war's lingering effects.

(With inputs from agencies.)