Sudan civil war: A pregnant woman's diary of escape through RSF territory

Gun-wielding drivers, extortion and breakdowns, as couple flee new front line in Sudan's conflict.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveA pregnant woman's diary of escape from war zone: 'I prayed the baby wouldn't come'2 days agoShareSaveBarbara Plett UsherAfrica correspondent, BBC NewsShareSaveAFP/Getty ImagesAmira made her terrifying journey through territory controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support ForcesIn the month of May Amira embarked on a perilous journey through one of Sudan's most active war zones.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had just seized the city where she was living - En Nahud in the state of West Kordofan.

The road out was dangerous, but she felt she had no choice. She was seven months pregnant.

"There were no hospitals anymore, no pharmacies," she said, "and I was afraid if I stayed longer, I wouldn't find any vehicles heading out. Travel had become almost non-existent: incredibly difficult and extremely expensive."

The civil war between the Sudanese military and the RSF has brutalised civilians for more than two years. Now, the front line has shifted to the southern region of Kordofan, through which Amira travelled.