More than 160 Sudanese return from Libya in voluntary repatriation flight

May 8, 2026 (PORT SUDAN) — A group of 166 Sudanese citizens arrived at Port Sudan International Airport from the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Friday as part of a voluntary return programme for Sudanese nationals abroad.

The arrival marks the second phase of a plan to repatriate approximately 1,000 citizens via six scheduled flights.

The influx of Sudanese into Libya has reached record levels since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023. According to a United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) report, more than 550,000 Sudanese refugees are estimated to have entered Libya since the war began.

The agency reported that approximately 559,920 individuals have arrived in the North African nation, though providing an exact figure is difficult due to the irregular nature of entry points along Libya’s vast, remote borders with Sudan, Chad, and Egypt. Many refugees move toward coastal cities after crossing, often facing severe obstacles in accessing public healthcare and suffering from widespread psychological distress due to instability.

Idris Saleh Idris Mohamed, Director of the Secretariat for Sudanese Working Abroad (SSWA) in Red Sea State, confirmed that the agency is prepared to receive the remaining flights expected in the coming days. He noted that another group is scheduled to arrive on Saturday.

Mohamed stated that the SSWA is coordinating the onward transport of the returnees to their home regions. He specified that efforts are underway to ensure those heading to Khartoum and Gezira states reach their destinations safely.