In international Day of Radio, Sudanese National radio contious and steady| Sudanow Magazine

Port Sudan(Sudanow) In a time when importance of radio declined, as anyone could create his own radio, and all world's radio became in the receiver's hands on a phone, despite this, Sudanese radio remains tuned ringtone that made people happy, so (Here is Omdurman) became a tune that everyone speaks and understands
Sudanese Radio celebrated World Radio Day last Thursday in collaboration with UNESCO and the Arab States Broadcasting Union under the slogan (Radio and Climate Change).It came to enhance role of radio, which witnesses to the depth of our values, our religious, humanitarian, and cultural heritage, and the positive role played by radio despite the challenges faced, including the conspiracies against Sudan and the destruction of state institutions, including media and civil institutions.

In an interview with Sudan Now, Ibrahim Al-Bazai, Director General of the General Authority for Radio and Television, spoke about the importance of radio and the profound meanings behind this celebration. He began by saying:

"Radio has shaped Sudanese identity and touched its people’s hearts at a time when communication tools were scarce. It speaks to listeners with great intimacy in the languages spoken by city inhabitants, villagers, and those in remote rural areas. These languages were introduced to a wide audience only through the waves of Omdurman Radio. The radio’s low cost and simple requirements contributed to its rapid spread and ease of access. It is common to see people carrying radios while traveling through the countryside, as it allows them to listen while working. Some countries even deliver radios for free to farmers to encourage them to work harder while enjoying the broadcasts."

Al-Bazai said that Sudan was introduced to radio broadcasting when British colonial authorities established it in the early 1940s during World War II as a tool for mobilization, recruitment, and war news coverage. This asserted radio’s role in spreading awareness, education, and knowledge. After the war ended with the Allies’ victory, Sudanese radio continued to fulfill its mission until Sudan gained independence from colonial rule. Even today, radio remains a voice for peace, stability, and rejecting wars and conflicts, making it the most widespread and accessible method.

"That is why radio is ever-present in cafes and rural markets, with people gathering around it to listen not only to news and discussions but also to songs that carried deep symbolic messages against colonial regime. For example, songs like ‘Ya Ghareeb Yala la -Baladak’ by Al-Atbarawi, ‘(Maho Aref Qadmo Al-Mfariq)’ (He Doesn’t Know the Foot That’s Departing), and ‘Al-Saqiya Lessa Madawra’ (The Waterwheel is Still Turning) by Hamad Al-Raih were all about Sudan’s aspiration for freedom and independence. Because o f that , radio remained a constant concern for enemies who He kept stalking it all the time

During World War II, Italy even sent its air force to bomb Sudanese radio and silence its voice. However, the Italian pilots misidentified the radio’s location and mistakenly dropped their bombs in various parts of Omdurman instead. This inspired Sudanese singer Aisha Al-Falatiya’s song:"(Allah Liya, Lemon Saghayto Alayya,Taira Jaya Tuhoum,Sha’ila Al-ganabil Koum,Jat Tadrib Al-Khartoum,Darabat Hamar Kaltoum,Sitt Al-Laban."

Her lyrics mocked the Italian bombers for missing their target, reinforcing how radio remained resilient despite external threats.
Al-Bazai continued his talk to Sudanow, saying that Sudanese radio played a crucial role in creating a unified cultural space between Sudan and its neighboring African countries. This connection made Sudanese musicians beloved artists across East Africa (Ethiopia and Eritrea) as well as in West and Southwest Africa.

It was natural to hear the voices of artists like Mohamed Wardi, Kabli, Abdelkader Salem, and Sayed Khalifa singing songs in the markets, shops, restaurants, and streets of these countries. At one point, authorities in a neighboring country banned the public broadcasting of foreign music, which deeply frustrated listeners. A wave of protests and dissatisfaction followed, forcing the authorities to reverse their decision due to public demand for Sudanese songs. This influence even extended to Sudanese drama, making Sudanese radio a living spirit that transcended borders with its iconic phrase: ‘Huna Omdurman’ (This is Omdurman).

Al-Bazai emphasized that Sudanese radio continues to hold the trust of Sudanese listeners when it comes to receiving accurate and reliable news.Even the simplest Sudanese citizen, upon hearing any news, will ask, ‘Did this come from the radio If it was broadcasted on the radio, then it is considered true and credible.

This deep trust in Sudanese radio was evident in the spontaneous celebrations and public demonstrations of joy across Sudanese cities when people heard of military victories, the liberation of the General Command headquarters, and the reclaiming of the Al-Jaili Refinery all announced through the voice of Omdurman Radio.

MR. Al-Bazai emphasized that Sudanese radio is one of the most important institutions for training and shaping broadcasters who are well-versed in all aspects of radio work. He explained that broadcasters undergo rigorous training, from their general appearance to their manner of interaction, and are only appointed after passing multiple classification committees.

The same applies to singers, actors, and anyone involved in radio work. No one can join the profession unless they meet the required standards. This is why radio personalities were given the title ‘Radio Star,’ just like music and sports stars.

According to Al-Bazai, these high standards have helped Sudanese radio maintain its strength, professionalism, and ability to continuously refine its performance, ensuring that it fulfills its vital role in serving society.

Explaining to (Sudanow) about the destruction that befell Sudanese Radio, Mohamed Hamad Al-Neel Abu Aqla, Director of the News Department, said:

"The radio station was subjected to a complete attack, resulting in the total destruction of its buildings, including studios with all their engineering and digital equipment There was a systematic sabotage of the servers within the radio headquarters, in addition to the complete devastation of administrative offices and the burning of the entire second floor. Furthermore, the audio library which serves as the nation's memory suffered partial damage.

This loss prompted the Broadcasting Authority to launch a project aimed at securing what remained of the archived recordings, dating back to the station’s establishment in 1940.

Mr Hamad Al-Neel recounted to Sudan Now the harrowing moments when Sudanese Radio fell under attack.

On the first day of the war, April 15, 2023, staff arrived at work as usual at 8:30 a.m, an hour before the assault began. We were preparing to broadcast Sada Al-Ahdath (Echo of Events), and during that time, we contacted political figures such as Barma Nasser, Khalid Omer, and Dr Ihsan Hassan Hussein to discuss the anticipated meeting between General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and the rebel leader Hemetti to resolve the crisis. However, at 9:45 a.m. a colleague informed us that gunfire had erupted near the Khartoum Sports City.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Hamad Al-Neel immediately informed the Director-General, Ibrahim Al-Bazai, that the gunfire indicated a possible rebellion by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Moments later, an official statement from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) confirmed that the RSF had rebelled.

"We were unable to broadcast the statement initially due to the unclear situation. However, when a colleague attempted to air it on television, RSF militia stormed the newsroom and destroyed the entire studio.During the attack, three staff members were inside the mosque, while eleven others, including the Director-General, were trapped within the radio station’s courtyard.
We had no idea what was happening outside except for what we could observe through the windows. We saw clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, while looters began breaking into shops. Someone told us that Tayeb’s grocery store and Television Mall, which had just received a large shipment of Ramadan and Eid supplies, were being ransacked. The looting had begun the moment the war started.
Through a window, they saw looters casually drinking juice and smoking cigarettes, indifferent to the sanctity of Ramadan.
At 3:00 p.m.a group of RSF fighters entered the station, accompanied by a former colleague, demanding a vehicle to transport their wounded. The Director-General agreed and ordered a driver to take them to Omdurman Military Hospital, but they refused, insisting on going to their own hospital in Salha, south of Omdurman Shortly after, the driver returned, shaken, and reported that he couldn’t proceed due to the sheer number of wounded and pools of blood outside.
At 4:30 p.m., the fighting subsided. Meanwhile, Sudanese Radio continued broadcasting patriotic songs.
Just before sunset, I entered the studio and announced the call for Iftar (breaking the fast). I instructed the technician to continue playing national songs and Islamic chants until the next morning. After Iftar, which consisted of hibiscus juice, traditional gurasa bread, and okra stew, I requested permission from the Director-General to leave. He agreed and instructed all staff to evacuate the premises, including himself.
Some colleagues, however, refused to leave and stayed for weeks or even months, baffling everyone about their motives for such a dangerous decision.
Upon exiting, two RSF fighters were seen sitting on a prayer rug.

They likely weren’t fasting. After greeting them, we requested permission to leave, pretending to be sick. They allowed us to go but warned us about snipers on nearby rooftops, which filled us with fear. We walked cautiously, sticking close to walls, until we reached Comboni Schools, then continued past Fayez Furniture Store, Sudani Telecom, and Al-Nile Hospital, finally reaching Najib Hospital, where we found groups of civilians sitting on the ground with tuk-tuks parked nearby.

Hamad Al-Neel and his colleague Abdel-Qayoum Bashir Ashmiq took a tuk-tuk, but upon approaching Omdurman Cultural Center, they saw a military tank blocking the road.

We had to take an alternative route through the backstreets, eventually reaching Shuhada Bus Station. Abdel-Qayoum took a bus home to Umbadda while I continued to Al-Arda neighborhood. There, I found my family—who had already given up hope of my return—thinking I was dead.

Hamad Al-Neel remained in Omdurman until the fifth day of Eid Al-Fitr, when he and his family fled to Wad Madani due to the deteriorating situation.

The journey was perilous. At every checkpoint, we encountered fierce battles, looters carrying stolen electronics and food supplies, and terrified civilians. Along the way, we reached Al-Eisilat, where the local residents generously provided food to travelers.
They stayed in Wad Madani until RSF forces seized the city in November 2023.
For a long time, Sudanese Radio was off-air. Suddenly, it re-emerged—broadcasting RSF propaganda and songs.
No one knew who was operating the station, but it was clear that the RSF had hijacked its frequencies (95.0 FM and 98.0 FM). They controlled the airwaves for only 7 to 10 days until the Sudanese Army destroyed the Fitehab Transmission Station, silencing the broadcasts.
Sudanese Radio later resumed experimental broadcasting on August 20, 2023, from Atbara, in River Nile State. By September 1, it had fully resumed its regular programming.

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