Cairo’s Sudanese Refugees Seize Free Home‑Return Gold
Sudan’s Returnees Make Their Way Home Amid Ongoing Conflict
Homebound Refugees Gather at Cairo’s Railway Station
Morning heat beat the train platform as hundreds of Sudanese families piled bags by their feet, clutching children in tow. They waited for a train bound for a war‑scarred homeland, even as the conflict in Khartoum remained unresolved.
Why the Army Urges Returnees
- Reinforcement of Control – The Sudanese army sees the return of refugees as a means to solidify its grip on recently recaptured areas.
- Step Toward Normality – A collective return is a visual cue that life in Sudan is stabilizing.
Egypt’s Voluntary Return Programme
The joint effort by Egyptian National Railways and Sudan’s Defence Industries System covers the entire journey: cruise tickets, transit buses from Aswan to Khartoum, and onward travel.
Stories of Those Heading Home
Khadija Mohamed Ali (45) expressed a “deep sense of belonging” as she listened to the locomotive rumble into the station. She looked forward to reuniting with her five daughters and her neighborhood in Khartoum.
Maryam Ahmed Mohamed (52) emphasized the importance of family and community as she planned to return to Omdurman with her two daughters. She hoped for a life that would gradually improve.
Hayam Mohamed (34) was frustrated by the high cost of living in Egypt and expressed the need to rebuild her family’s life in Sudan.
Return Patterns and Challenges
- More than 65,000 Sudanese refugees have crossed into Chad in just over a month.
- Crossings through Libya have increased this year.
- Approximately 71 % of returnees are heading to Al‑Jazirah, the southeastern state, citing better safety and services.
- Only about 10 % are headed back to Khartoum.
Infrastructure and Security in Khartoum
Despite reclaiming the capital, Khartoum remains fragmented. Infrastructure is shattered, health services are scarce, and electricity is unreliable in many districts.
Conclusion
With challenging conditions in Egypt and a growing desire to restore their lives, Sudanese refugees are increasingly choosing to return home. The journey is long and fraught, but many see it as the only path to rebuild a community that has endured tremendous hardship.
