Sudanese Authorities Begin Exhumation of Improvised Burials in Khartoum. Khartoum, Sudan — The Sudanese government has initiated a significant campaign to exhume makeshift graves, predominantly used during the conflict between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces, in the capital region of Khartoum. This effort aims to alleviate the psychological burden on families and improve the health and humanitarian situation in the area.
Iman Abdel — Azim, a resident of Khartoum North, buried her brother in the courtyard of her home when he died during the fighting. This was a common practice as cemeteries were inaccessible due to the ongoing conflict.
The recent announcement of the exhumation campaign has reignited her grief as she revisits the pain of losing a loved one.
State and local committees, comprising representatives from forensic medicine, Civil Defence, the Sudanese Red Crescent, and neighbourhood management and services committees, are tasked with implementing the exhumations. Ahmed Abdel Rahman, executive director of Khartoum North, explained that the campaign is being supervised by the High Committee for Collecting the Remains of Those Who Died During the Battle of Dignity.
The process will be carried out in stages, starting with identifying makeshift burial sites.
Families are then notified, and they are allowed to nominate a representative to be involved in every step, from exhumation to burial.
The process is being supervised by forensic medicine specialists to ensure full documentation of the remains. Hisham Zain al-Abidin, director of the Forensic Medicine Authority in Khartoum State, stated that the process began when the Sudanese army took control of Khartoum State.
He anticipates that by the first quarter of 2026, Khartoum and its seven districts will be free of makeshift graves.
However, challenges such as a shortage of body bags and sabotage of DNA units used to preserve samples from several buried bodies have emerged. Shireen Al-Tayeb Nour Al-Daem, vice president of the Steering and Services Committee in the Shambat neighbourhood of North Khartoum, highlighted the extensive nature of the task.
The committee has been surveying graves in homes, mosques, and public squares in several neighbourhoods, collecting data, and communicating with families.
The exhumation process also includes logistical and support functions for field teams, including coordinating between the teams and the families of the deceased.
The presence of family members or representatives is crucial, with the High Committee instructing that exhumations be halted if no relatives are present.
The campaign is part of broader efforts to reconstruct and rebuild the country, providing a safe environment for the return of citizens.
The streets of Khartoum remain filled with bodies that have not yet been buried, posing challenges for identification and public health concerns. Further details are expected as the campaign progresses.
