00:07This is Al-Hurriya Street. It used to be one of the busiest markets located in the center of Khartoum.
00:13It has just reopened after years of conflict.
00:17The area was a main battlefield for more than two years and was recaptured by the army in March 2025.
00:24Since then, many features have changed as traders try to restart their businesses.
00:33We've lost everything and started from scratch with weak capital.
00:36But there's collaboration between vendors and traders to open such important windows as Al-Hurriya Street.
00:42It's a main market and has real and symbolic importance despite all the difficulties.
00:48Another major market that has just reopened is Al-Markazi, specializing in selling fruits, vegetables and food stuff.
00:57But risks still persist, including some damaged shops and infrastructure, unreliable electricity, soaring inflation and weak customer demand.
01:07We've returned because people need food and goods every day.
01:12But we're facing mounting challenges, starting with the supply chains, changing prices due to the inflation and the slower demand.
01:20Sudan's economy lost about 60 percent of its activities and income generators due to the ongoing conflict,
01:28according to statistics launched by financial monitors and government institutions.
01:33The return of post-war markets instantly revived the local economy by restoring livelihoods for merchants and day laborers,
01:42while injecting crucial cash back into communities.
01:46The movement is slower than before, and it depends on people's return to Khatum.
01:52But it's at least safer than before, and there's no scarcity of goods.
01:56This surge in commercial activity has helped lower inflation and signals a stable security situation that encourages more displaced families
02:06to return home.
02:07Additionally, functioning marketplaces can help jumpstart broken supply chains by reopening trade routes and revitalizing the transport and agricultural sectors.
02:18This commercial momentum can spur local producers to resume work, transitioning the population from humanitarian aid towards self-resilience,
02:28while building investor confidence for long-term reconstruction.
02:33But some markets in parts of Sudan are still targeted and can be turned into battlefields by shelling and drone
02:40attacks.
02:40Despite the challenges, the reopening of places like this is a sign of resilience, yet the full economic recovery remains
02:49a long road ahead.
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