Sudan's civil war and displacement through the eyes of a poet

By Emmanuel Akinwotu

Published April 14, 2024 at 8:02 AM EDT

Smoke is seen rising from Khartoum's skyline, Sudan, Sunday, April 16, 2023. The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group have been battling for control of the chaos-stricken nation.

The words of one Sudanese poet, draw attention to the devastation that one year of war has wrecked on her country.

Emi Mahmoudwas born in Sudan where fighting erupted a year ago between the Sudanese army and a powerful paramilitary group. The violence has sparked the world's worst displacement crisis, and for millions of families like her own, it has had a profound impact.

Mahmoud is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agencyand has been speaking to NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu.

Emmanuel Akinwotu

Emmanuel Akinwotu is an international correspondent for NPR. He joined NPR in 2022 from The Guardian, where he was West Africa correspondent.

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