Driven by hope for peace and stability after a year of devastating conflict. For many, the journey back to Sudan marks not just a return to their roots but a leap of faith toward rebuilding their lives.
Among the returnees was Youssef Al-Waleed, a man in his 30s, carefully organizing his family’s belongings beside a bus. “A stranger has to return to his homeland one day,” he said. “We must go back to our homes and our land. But Egypt will always remain our second country.”
Nearby, 63-year-old Mousa Othman Yassin and his wife sat quietly, having sought refuge in Egypt for medical reasons. With medicine scarce and security fragile in Sudan, Yassin had little choice but to flee. Now, with signs of improvement back home, he hopes never to relive such hardship.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, disrupting the country’s fragile political transition. The war has since claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced over 15 million people, and plunged Sudan into a dire humanitarian crisis.
Following recent territorial gains by the SAF in Khartoum and a call for citizens abroad to return, an increasing number of Sudanese are making the journey home. Amin Ismail, a Sudanese embassy advisor in Cairo, estimated that around 3,000 people now return daily, encouraged by the restored services in key cities and free return initiatives.
Travel agent Mohamed Issa, whose company facilitates free rides for those in need, described the bond between Egyptians and Sudanese as one of deep fraternity. “It brings me joy to see smiles on their faces as they return home,” he said.
Since the conflict began, Egypt has become the largest host of Sudanese refugees, sheltering over 1.2 million people. Yet for many like Amin Awad, who fled Khartoum with his family eight months ago, the desire to go back has never faded. “Safety is everything,” he said, his voice filled with hope for a peaceful future.
