Sudanese refugees begin returning home from Egypt

December 30, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudanese citizens who fled to Egypt to escape the ongoing conflict have begun returning home, with hundreds crossing the border daily, according to officials and media reports.

Some 1.2 million Sudanese sought refuge in Egypt, out of 3.3 million who fled the country since fighting erupted between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, the International Organization for Migration said.

Al-Tahir Abdeen, who returned to Sudan with his family of five on Monday, told Sudan Tribune he felt safe to return to his home in Al Dindir after the army recaptured the town from RSF control.

“Many families wish to return, especially after their savings have run out,” Abdeen said, explaining that he initially fled to Cairo through smuggling routes due to visa restrictions.

Hundreds of Sudanese began returning from Egypt following a military operation launched on Sept. 26. The army retook key areas, including Omdurman, parts of Khartoum, and Sennar state.

The Sudan News Agency, citing a source at the Ashkit border crossing, said 678 people, mostly families, returned on Monday on board 14 buses. The average number of daily returnees ranges between 500 to 600, with procedures facilitated by coordination between authorities in both countries, the agency reported.

Thousands of Sudanese resorted to smuggling to reach Egypt due to Cairo’s stringent visa requirements and security checks and delays in processing applications.