Sudan's military-led government has lifted a curfew and state of emergency in Khartoum, marking an important step towards restoring normal life to the capital after two years of conflict.

The authorities are taking this step 18 months after the army seized back control of the capital from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which it has been fighting in a civil war now in its fourth year. For related coverage, explore our detailed analysis on Technology and Digital Systems.

Clashes Continue in the South and West

But clashes continue in the south and west, with mounting evidence that the war is spilling across Sudan's borders.

More than two million of the roughly five million people who fled Khartoum after war erupted in April 2023 have returned to the city since fighting there ended in March 2025, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The aim of lifting the curfew is to help restore normal life to the capital.

Aim of Lifting Curfew is to Restore Normal Life

The government has reopened the city's main airport for some flights and is encouraging businesses and embassies to come back.

But residents still struggle to rebuild their livelihoods.

Read More: Violence Erupts in Spanish Exclave Ceuta Amidst Migrant Crisis

Many have found widespread damage with many buildings looted. And they have to cope with constant power blackouts, due to alleged RSF drone attacks on electricity infrastructure and a lack of government funds to carry out repairs.

'There was a state of terror': Sudan hospital worker describes fleeing before alleged massacre

Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

Sudan's military-led government has lifted a curfew and state of emergency in Khartoum imposed more than two years ago, state media says.

"The targeting of the electricity sector in particular was very significant," a spokesperson for the Khartoum state government, Altayeb Saadeldin, informed the Reuters news agency, listing looting of copper wires and fuel and other components, as well as drone attacks, as reasons for the outages.

An RSF source responded that the allegations were "incorrect and army propaganda".

Sudan's invisible children - born in war with no legal identity Despite lifting the state of emergency, the authorities remain wary of RSF infiltration. The Sudan News Agency stated security patrols would continue operating across the state and locals traveling at night would need to carry identification documents.