Written by: Qusay Ahmed

The remnants of war, including unexploded ordnance, have become a daily threat claiming the lives of civilians, especially children, in and around the capital, Khartoum, nearly three years after the outbreak of the conflict, in a scene that reflects the scale of the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Sudan.

The return of residents to Khartoum is hampered by the danger of landmines and remnants of war.

In an investigation conducted by the Associated Press, Khalid Abdel Qader, a Sudanese citizen, said that he had a painful experience when he saw children playing with a strange object that they thought was a football. He tried to move it away from them, but it exploded in his hand, causing the amputation of two fingers and shrapnel wounds to his chest.

The United Nations estimates that hundreds of people have been killed or injured by unexploded ordnance, including mines, shells and rockets that failed to detonate upon launch, while tens of thousands of these remnants are scattered across large areas of the country.

The situation is particularly dire in Khartoum, where residents have begun gradually returning after the army regained control of the capital last year, without sufficient awareness of the dangers posed by these deadly remnants of war. According to data, nearly 60 deaths or injuries were recorded in Khartoum State last year, more than half of them children, while 23 cases were recorded in the first quarter of this year, including 21 children.

The spread of these munitions dates back to decades of conflicts, exacerbated since the outbreak of war in 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, with both sides accused of planting mines during battles for control of the capital.

Mine clearance experts confirm that the clearance process will be long and complex, as the specialized teams are only able to clear an area of between 10 and 15 square meters per day.

During the past year, demining teams have cleared approximately 7.8 million square meters in Khartoum, finding more than 36,000 explosive devices.

Despite these efforts, large areas remain contaminated, including public parks, residential areas, and vital bridges, hindering the return to normalcy. Authorities also face additional challenges, most notably a lack of funding and personnel, along with the reluctance of some residents to report unexploded ordnance for fear of reprisals.

Under these circumstances, civilians face a daily danger, as any neglected piece of metal could turn into a time bomb, threatening the life of anyone who approaches it unaware of its true nature.