Arabic version: الخرطوم ترفع حظر التجول بعد عامين مع عودة السكان

According to BBC News, Sudan’s military-led government has lifted the curfew and state of emergency imposed in Khartoum more than two years ago. The move comes 18 months after the army regained control of the capital from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The authorities say lifting the restrictions is intended to help restore normal life in Khartoum. More than two million of roughly five million people who fled the city after war began in April 2023 have returned since fighting there ended in March 2025, the International Organization for Migration says.

The government has reopened Khartoum’s main airport for some flights and is encouraging businesses and embassies to return. But residents face widespread damage and looted buildings, while power blackouts continue. Khartoum state government spokesperson Altayeb Saadeldin cited looting of electricity infrastructure and alleged RSF drone attacks; an RSF source called the allegations “incorrect and army propaganda”.

Security patrols will continue across the state, and people travelling at night must carry identification documents. BBC Monitoring reports that the army is also carrying out sweeps in greater Khartoum targeting alleged RSF sleeper cells, undocumented foreigners and people involved in illegal activities.

Fighting continues in Sudan’s south and west, while concern is growing over the conflict’s regional impact. Chad says a Sudanese army air strike hit a military convoy about 100km inside its territory on 20 August, an allegation Sudan rejects. US Senior Adviser Massad Boulos condemned what he described as recent Sudanese Armed Forces air strikes inside Chad and called for a humanitarian truce.