From the Heart of the Siege to the Shelves of the Cairo International Book Fair “Sudan: War and Ashes” Documents the Tragedy of Khartoum

Egyptian physician Abdelaty ElMannaee is participating in the 57th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair with his book “Sudan: War and Ashes,” presenting a documentary and deeply human work that chronicles the first critical hours of the outbreak of war in Sudan, following the takeover of the capital, Khartoum, by the rebel Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, and the subsequent prolonged siege and the total collapse of state institutions and basic services.

Published by Enjaz Publishing House, the book is based on the author’s personal field experience. ElMannaee chose to remain in Khartoum for 75 days under shelling, before continuing his humanitarian mission by treating displaced civilians in Al-Jazira State and the city of Wad Madani for a full five months. He documents his resilience alongside a group of doctors inside hospitals and shelters, and their determination to continue treating the wounded—women, children, and the elderly—amid severe shortages of resources and the absence of even the most basic safety conditions.

The book combines documentary narration with emotionally resonant language, transforming the daily details of life under bombardment, the collapse of the healthcare system, and the closure of hospitals into powerful scenes that reveal the human face of the conflict. It also records the stories of displaced families, the suffering of patients, and the efforts of civil initiatives and volunteers striving to save what could still be saved amid chaos and destruction.

The work is structured into chapters that trace multiple temporal and geographical stages, extending from Khartoum to Wad Madani and Port Sudan, beginning with the initial moment of shock, followed by attempts to adapt to the reality of war, and culminating in forced displacement. In every chapter, the human story takes precedence over political analysis, making the individual the core of the narrative and the true protagonist of the scene.

The book highlights the manifestations of health, economic, and service-sector collapse, and how cities were turned into ashes—both literally and metaphorically—while also shedding light on moments of human resilience, including the sacrifices of doctors, the solidarity of ordinary people, and the Sudanese people’s determination to cling to hope despite the harshness of reality.

“Sudan: War and Ashes” stands as a documented historical testimony of a time of collapse and a warning message to the international community that what is happening in Sudan is not merely a passing armed conflict, but a profound tragedy of a people striving for peace and dignity amid war and ashes.