New Sudanese Anti-War Songs You Should Listen To

Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World”, Edwin Starr’s “War”, John Lennon’s “Imagine”, The Beatles’s “All You Need is Love” and The Cranberries’s “Zombie” are some of the world’s most popular anti-war songs that many listen to today especially when a country or the world is suffering from manmade destruction such as civil conflict, terrorism or war.

Due to a history of long civil conflicts from the most recent Sudanese revolution to the current fighting between armed forces, Sudan has its own rich library of anti-war songs.

Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on 15 April 2023, leaving more than 500 people dead, more than 3,000 injured and caused more than 1 million people to flee Sudan. According to UNHCR, at the beginning of June, the distribution of the newly displaced from the fighting in Khartoum included more than 169,000 to Egypt, more than 100,000 to Chad, more than 94,000 to South Sudan, more than 13,800 to Central African Republic (CAR), and more than 7,500 to Ethiopia.

As a result, many Sudanese singers and rappers have released their lyrical take on the devastating war.

“Ghany Ya Khartoum” – A.G Nimeri

After giving us national anthems such as “3askar”, “Biladi”, and “Sudan Bidon Kizan”, A.G Nimeri has returned with “Ghany Ya Khartoum”, which he released on 21 April 2023. “”Ghany Ya Khartoum” translates to “Sing, Khartoum”. The song is a poem by Mahjoub Sharif and was produced by Abdullah Al Mulssy and composed by Pacific. The artists behind the music video include Mustafa Mahmoud, Hanz Osman and Hassan Kakashi.

A.G, along with Zeyo Mann, also featured in MISTA.D’s new “Al Hissa Watan”, which was released on 14 May 2023.

“One Hand” | “Yad Wahda” – Wd Alzain

Sudanese reggae singer Wd Alzain released “One Hand” on 20 April 2023, calling for peace and for the war to end. In addition, the songs calls for all of Sudan to unite and to become one, irregardless of their various tribal and religious differences.

“Samtan Ya Sawt Al Dana” – Mujtaba Alseddig and Mohammed Hamid

Mujtaba Alseddig and Mohammed Hamid released “Samtan Ya Sawt Al Dana” on 24 April 2023, calling for the sounds of ‘Al Dana’, which is a bomb, to end, which is a metaphor for the war to end. The song is sung and written by Mohammed Hamid based on a poem by Mahmoud Aljaily, and composed by Mujtaba Alseddig. The project includes Emaad Elhaj as director, Ahmed Nouman as the director of photography, Raghda Hatim and Samah Mansour as translators, and Ashraf Abdelaziz.

“Gomriea” – Hleem Taj Alser, featuring Awabtherapper

Popular Sudanese rapper Hleem Taj Alser released “Gomriea” on 28 April 2023, featuring Awabtherapper. Depicting images and clips of destruction in Sudan, the music video is by Mahmoud Roshdi, produced by Mshakil, and directed by Hleem Taj Alser with Ahmed Costa and Bahiga, who plays the violin in the music video, as actors. “Gomreia” is a female pigeon known for its beautiful voice. The description under the music video further explains the meaning of “Gomreia” as well as “Azza”, which translates to “dear” or “beloved”, and is a word Sudanese commonly use to refer to their country.

“Ya Watani Balad Ahbabi” – Roaa Mohammed Naeem and Mafaz Bushra

Sudanese singers Roaa Mohammed Naeem and Mafaz Bushra released their cover of the patriotic song “Ya Watani Balad Ahbabi” by the late and great Sayed Khalifa on 13 May 2023. “Ya Watani Balad Ahbabi” loosely translates to “my homeland, the country of my beloved”. Originally composed by Sayed Khalif, the song was written by Ibrahim Rajab. The music video features grim images of destruction in Sudan due to ongoing war in the country with several Sudanese personalities signifying ‘Stop the War’ gestures with their hands. The idea for the song was inspired by Roaa’s father, Mohammed Naeem Saeed. The music project also includes the work of Musab Aydrous, Monti Wd Zainab and Ahmed Saif.

“Al Hissa Watan” – MISTA.D featuring A.G and Zeyo Mann

Released on 14 May 2023, “Al Hissa Watan” is a lyrically vigorous politically charged song, featuring MISTA.D, A.G and Zeyo Mann with beats that uniquely bring together reggae, rap and jazz. “Al Hissa Watan” is a popular Sudanese and Arabic saying, which loosely translates to “The Lesson is Country”. Brought to you by JOTA Records, the music project includes DJ Moe as the Executive Producer, Read Al Murish as Director, Ogbini Stickz as the Music Producer and MISTA.D as the Executive Music Producer. The end of the music video, a man states “It is not our fight. This is a war between the kizan [Burhan’s regime] and Janjaweed [the RSF]. In the description, they highlight the tragic situation in Sudan.

“5arab” – Hyper, featuring Cymona

Sudanese rapper hyper released “5arab” on 15 May 2023, which was produced, mixed and mastered by Cymona. The video features an image by Mustafa Alnasry, which is of a young girl crying, and embracing a white doll and covering her eyes. Behind her is a burning home.

“Fotty Wen” – Radi

Sudanese rapper Radi released “Fotty Wen” on 19 May 2023, featuring various clips of the two warlords wreaking havoc in Sudan: Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Al Burhan, the de facto ruler of Sudan who leads the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), the former de facto deputy ruler of Sudan who leads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). “Fotty Wen” loosely translates to “Where Did You Go?”

“Dreams of Homeland” | “Ahlam Watan” – Ahmed Amin

Popular Sudanese singer Ahmed Amin giving us heartbreaking anti-war hits such as “Civil, Freedom & Peace” during the Sudanese Revolution in 2019. Now, he has returned with a new heartfelt song, “Dreams of [a/the] Homeland”, which was released on 3 June 2023, and composed and arranged himself. The song was written by Altoom Ahmed Kepkep and produced by Samer Kreidieh of GO Production.

“Tatheer” – Sharara

Sudanese rapper Sharara released the politically charged song “Tatheer” on 3 June 2023, wearing military clothes and gear, spitting versus, targeting Hemedti and his paramilitary forces, the RSF, and refusing his leadership. The song is produced by Chosen with music direction by Mubarak Juma (Frankie Jumes of Jumes Production). “Tatheer” loosely translates to “impact”.

“Refugees” – Osman Nawawe

Sampling a remix of Lost Frequencies’s “Where Are You Now”, Sudanese rapper Osman Nawawe released “Refugees” on 8 June 2023, as an ode to Sudan and the Sudanese people who were forced to leave their homeland due to war, saying that they will return to Sudan soon.

“N7na Bkheer” – Mohammed Alkinani

Sudanese singer Mohammed Alkinani released “N7na Bkheer” on 8 June 2023, which he composed himself. “N7na Bkheer” translates to “We Are Fine”, which is the message the uplifting song is aiming to deliver – a message of hope and optimism. The song is written Maad Shaykhoon and directed by Ahmed Elmona. The project also includes Jadu Faisal, Omar Al Sadiq, Monzer Khalil, Asad Babikir, Samah Nimir, Akram, Yousri Salah and more.

“Bokra Al Ham Yefutna” – Elaf Abdulaziz

Sudanese singer Elaf Abdulaziz released “Bokra Al Ham Yefutna” on 8 June 2023. “Bokra Al Ham Yefutna” loosely translates to “Tomorrow, the worries will be gone”. The song is a traditional Sudanese song that delivers a message of hope and perseverance.

“Ana Sudani Ana” – Omer Elamin

Omer Elamin released a cover of the patriotic song “Ana Sudani Ana” by the late and great Sudanese singer Hassan Khalifa Elatbarawi on 11 June 2023. The song is originally written by Mohamed Othman Abdelrahim. “Ana Sudani Ana” loosely translates to “I am Sudanese”. The emotive music video features several Sudanese personalities crying, upset and heartbroken over the war in Sudan, including Omer Elamin’s mother and father. The cover has been arranged, composed, directed and co-produced by Omer Elamin himself. The project also included Hussain Elshareef, Shargawi as the DOP and co-producer, Amar Al Ayoubi as the mix master, Mazin KAKA as the DOP Assistant and Salma Taj as the translator of the lyrics.

“Ma Taktuluna” – Sheikh Altareeqa, featuring Roaa Mohammed Naeem

Sudanese rapper Ameen Al Hindi, better known as Sheikh Altareeqa, released his new single “Ma Taktuluna”, which translates to “Don’t Kill Us”, featuring Sudanese singer Roaa Mohammed Naeem on 21 June 2023. The song is produced by Hamo Beatz, who also mix and mastered the song, video is produced by Nayef Al Rakf. It was edited and directed by Abbas Fox. Others involved in the song and music video include Ahmed Elmona, Al Amin Babiker, Alaadin Ahmed, Alaa, Sultan Salih, Jafaar Salih and Abdullah Al Madhid.

“My Sister” – Ahmed Amin

Ahmed Amin released another song “My Sister” on 26 June 2023 as an ode to young girls and women who have been violated during the war in Sudan. Nearly 90 cases of rape have been reported since the war began 15 April 2023, some as young as 13 years old.

“Shadi Al Raheel” – Wad Almzad x BAYOOMY

Sudanese rapper Wad Almzad released “Shadi Al Raheel”, featuring singer Bayoomy on 27 June 2023. The song was written by Mustafa Zeyo. The music video was produced by Mshakil Beats with Omer Abu Zaid as producer, Moaz Asker as executive producer, and Nader Suliman as the mixer and masterer.

“Al Donia Radyah” – Ahmed Saif

On 28 June 2023, new Sudanese singer Ahmed Saif released “Al Donia Radyah”, a lyrically and visually beautiful song, delivering an uplifting message of hope and optimism. It was written by Sufian Jano. The musical arrangement is by Ahmed Said himself.

“Mattar Al Hisaw” – Nada Algalaa

Popular Sudanese singer Nada Algalaa released “Mattar Al Hisaw” or “Pebble Rain” on 3 July 2023 in support of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). It is written by Haitham Abbas and musically arranged by Abdullah Gabbani.

“Al Hareb Al Dareb” – Aisha Al Jabal

Popular Sudanese singer Aisha Al Jabal released “Al Hareb Al Dareb” on 14 July 2023. The upbeat song delivers a similar message to the popular American song “War (What is it good for)” by American singer and songwriter Edwin Starr. The song is written by Amjad Hamza and musically arranged by Kareem Adil.

“Al Qadiah Watan” – Eman Al Shareef

Popular Sudanese singer Eman Al Shareef released “Al Qadiah Watan” on 16 July 2023. The upbeat song is written by Ahmed Kosti, musically arranged by Abdullah Gabbani, and produced by Takwene Studio.

“Khartoum” – Ensaf Madani

Popular Sudanese singer Ensaf Madani released “Khartoum” on 31 July 2023. To beat of her popular daluka (Sudanese drum) song, she sings an ode to her home and the capital city Khartoum. It is written by Amjad Hamza and produced by Ert Studio.

“Ya Khartoum” – CALI

On 2 Aug 2023, Sudanese rapper CALI released, “Ya Khartoum”, an ode to Khartoum. He mixed and mastered the song himself.

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