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Band members flee Sudan as war shatters Khartoum
Members of Sudan's celebrated band Aswat Almadina now live scattered across the globe after fleeing a conflict that has killed over 150,000 people and displaced 12 million. The war, which erupted in April 2023, turned the capital Khartoum into a battleground, forcing artists to abandon their homes and studios.
The birth of Sounds of the City
Founded in 2014, Aswat Almadina-meaning "Sounds of the City"-drew inspiration from Khartoum's streets, blending Middle Eastern folk, urban pop, and jazz. The band's name reflected their mission: to capture the essence of a once-vibrant metropolis of seven million people.
"We called ourselves 'Sounds of the City' because Khartoum is our inspiration. Our music comes from its atmosphere, the sounds of its people, the rhythm of its streets."
Mohammed Almustafa (Timon), founding member
Music as resistance and refuge
Aswat Almadina gained a devoted following, particularly among Sudanese youth, for lyrics addressing social justice, corruption, and daily struggles. Their impact earned them UNDP Goodwill Ambassador status in 2017. Lead vocalist Ibrahem Mahmoud, a longtime activist, faced repeated arrests for songs critical of the regime before the 2019 uprising that ousted Omar al-Bashir.
"I got arrested a lot by national security for singing the truth. Thank God I'm still alive."
Ibrahem Mahmoud, co-founder and lead vocalist
War forces an abrupt exile
When fighting broke out in April 2023, the band was recording in a Khartoum studio. Gunfire and shelling shattered the city's peace, leaving them stunned. "I didn't believe it was a war," Ibrahem recalls. "It was confusing-we'd never experienced anything like it."
Timon, whose real name is Mohammed Almustafa, fled Sudan two months later, traumatized by scenes of destruction in Khartoum. He now lives in Cairo, Egypt, after a grueling journey to reunite with his family. "I missed the birth of my second child because of that," he says.
Creating music amid chaos
Despite the distance, the band continues to collaborate remotely. They recorded Give Peace a Chance with a musician in central Sudan, battling unreliable internet and the sound of shelling. "The weapons were loud, but music was always there," Ibrahem says. "It's my survival mechanism."
A new song, Sudan, set for release later this month, reflects the country's beauty and pain. The band hopes it will resonate with fans enduring the war's devastation.
A fragile hope for reunion
Ibrahem, now in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, refuses to call it home. "I'm just visiting. My journey isn't over." Timon echoes the sentiment, holding onto a photo from their last Khartoum concert. "There was a Khartoum. There were lovely nights in Sudan."
"The arts have power. They carry emotion for people. We still hope to stand together in the same room one day."
Ibrahem Mahmoud
For now, Aswat Almadina's music remains a beacon of hope. "I want everyone to speak about peace and love," Timon says. "That's what will make things better-not war."
