270 Sudanese Students Return Home with Their Families to Write National High School Exams
Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Moussa
The Hope Committee for Voluntary Return organized on Tuesday the return of 270 male and female Sudanese students, accompanied by their families, to Sudan via six buses—four departing from Cairo and two from Alexandria.
The head of the Hope Committee for Voluntary Return, Mohammed Wada’a, told Sudanhorizon that the group included students wishing to sit for the Sudanese secondary school certificate exams but who had not been assigned exam seat numbers in Egypt. He noted that the Ministry of Education had promised to issue them emergency seat numbers.
Wada’a added that the committee included this group within its voluntary return program, confirming that their return is permanent. He explained that the committee began operations a week ago, selecting four transport companies through a tender process to ensure transparency—two Egyptian and two Sudanese. Egyptian companies will transport returnees to border crossings, while Sudanese companies will handle transportation in Sudan.
He expressed hope that authorities in both countries would allow Egyptian buses to enter Khartoum in exchange for Sudanese companies reaching Cairo, explaining that this would unify the transport route under one responsible party, increase the number of trips, and reduce costs by about 30%. He noted that there has been initial approval of the idea, though it has not yet been implemented, revealing ongoing arrangements to use trains and ships in the near future. He added that the committee met with the head of the Egyptian National Railways Authority, who offered significant facilitation and discounts to support the program.
Wada’a stated that the number of people registered in the voluntary return program via the bus route has reached 26,000, compared to 9,000 via the train route so far. He said the committee aims to return 100,000 Sudanese within three months, provided suitable conditions are met.
He added that legal and administrative procedures are currently being completed, including signing contracts with transport companies to establish a final return plan. Coordination is also underway with border authorities at Argeen and Ashkeet crossings to increase readiness and accommodate a larger number of buses daily. He expects the full-scale implementation of the program to begin by next week at the latest, once procedures are finalized.
Wada’a confirmed that funding for the project is progressing well, noting that the cost of today’s bus operation amounted to 1.5 million Egyptian pounds, covering transportation as well as hospitality services such as meals and drinks during the journey. He called for additional support to enable the committee to return as many Sudanese as possible.
He expressed his gratitude to Egypt—its government and people—for hosting Sudanese nationals and for its supportive position toward Sudan. He also called on local and international organizations, as well as the Egyptian public and media, to contribute to supporting voluntary return efforts due to their importance in stabilizing both countries and aiding Sudan’s reconstruction. He urged returnees to adhere to responsibility and organization during the process, avoid placing additional burdens on the committee, and comply with baggage limits and travel schedules.
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