CAIRO – Twenty-four busloads of Sudanese nationals departed Egypt on Friday as part of an ongoing voluntary repatriation programme for citizens opting to return home amid signs of improving security conditions in several parts of Sudan after more than two years of devastating conflict.
The convoy, organized in coordination with Sudanese community groups and local authorities, carried hundreds of returnees who had sought refuge in Egypt since war erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023. Many of those returning said they were motivated by reports of greater stability in areas recently recaptured by government forces, particularly in and around the capital, Khartoum.
The conflict, which triggered one of the world’s largest displacement crises, forced millions of Sudanese to flee their homes. Egypt became a major destination for those escaping the violence due to its geographic proximity and longstanding social and economic ties with Sudan.
According to international humanitarian agencies, more than 1.5 million Sudanese crossed into Egypt during the conflict, while millions more were displaced internally or sought refuge in neighboring countries, including Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and the Central African Republic.
In recent months, Sudanese authorities have reported increasing numbers of citizens returning to areas where security has improved. Khartoum, Omdurman, Bahri, Sennar and Al Jazirah states have seen a gradual return of residents as government forces regained control of key territories and began efforts to restore public services.
Many returnees face significant challenges upon arrival. Large parts of the country have suffered extensive damage to homes, hospitals, schools, water systems and electricity networks. Economic hardship, high food prices and limited access to healthcare remain major concerns for families attempting to rebuild their lives.
Humanitarian organizations have welcomed the voluntary nature of the returns but continue to urge caution, emphasizing that conditions remain unstable in several regions. Fighting persists in parts of Darfur and Kordofan, where insecurity, displacement and humanitarian needs remain acute.
The United Nations and aid agencies have stressed that returns should be safe, dignified and based on informed decisions by those choosing to go back. They have also called for increased international support to help returning families access shelter, healthcare, education and livelihood opportunities.
Despite the challenges, the departure of the latest convoy highlights growing optimism among some Sudanese refugees that conditions in parts of their homeland may be improving sufficiently to allow them to begin rebuilding their communities after years of war and displacement.
The repatriation effort is expected to continue in the coming weeks as more Sudanese families assess the security situation and consider returning to areas they fled during the conflict.
