Sudan’s Consul in Aswan: Drone Strikes Haven’t Hindered Return of 17,000 Citizens from Egypt

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Musa

The Consul General of Sudan in Aswan, Ambassador Abdel Qader Abdullah, revealed that the total number of Sudanese citizens who have returned from Egypt from the beginning of 2024 until May 10th reached 223,641 people. He expressed gratitude to the Egyptian state — its president, government, and people — for hosting large numbers of Sudanese families throughout the two years of war, and for continuing to offer them substantial support.

Unaffected

In a press briefing held via Zoom with a number of journalists on Tuesday evening, Abdullah emphasized that the launch of drones at Port Sudan had not impacted the growing voluntary return of citizens to the country. He noted that the army quickly dealt with the drones and is capable of handling them with its available anti-aircraft systems and through enhancing its defensive capabilities either domestically or by sourcing from the open global market. He clarified that the consulate’s role in the voluntary return process is one of coordination with the relevant authorities, while the actual support and facilitation — such as waiving residency fines, easing return procedures, and not imposing fees on returnees — comes from the Egyptian side.

Militia Lies

In response to Sudanhorizon’s questions about return rates during the drone attacks and the attack’s impact on voluntary return, Ambassador Abdullah stated that from the beginning of the month until May 12th, 17,000 people had returned from Egypt. He added that the Sudanese people’s awareness and determination to return to their homeland was not swayed by the militia’s lies or by their attempts to instill fear through targeting safe cities.

He also explained that a committee from the Egyptian Ministry of Education had visited Sudanese schools in Aswan to inspect compliance with ministry standards. Ten schools in and around Aswan were visited, and they were promised accreditation for those that meet the criteria. The consulate, he said, is working with supporting organizations to promote the option of online learning, which will be free to support Sudanese families, in collaboration with educational aid organizations.

Comprehensive Briefing

The Sudanese Consul General in Aswan provided a comprehensive briefing on the violations committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia since the outbreak of war on April 15. He reported that the number of internally displaced persons within Sudan due to the war has reached 10 million, while another million have fled abroad. He highlighted the extensive violations committed by the militia in Gezira State — in its cities and villages — where the death toll has reached 4,500. The ambassador also referred to RSF massacres in North Darfur State, the siege and shelling of El Fasher city, the storming of Zamzam camp, the burning of villages around the city, the displacement of residents, and the looting of their livestock and belongings. He noted that 400,000 people were displaced from Zamzam camp alone, in a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2736, which calls for the lifting of the siege on El Fasher.

Proof of Defeat

Ambassador Abdullah pointed to massacres by the militia in North and West Kordofan States, the siege of El-Obeid, its shelling with artillery, and the drone attack on its prison, which resulted in 20 prisoner deaths and 50 injuries. He explained that the invasion of Al-Nuhud city led to the killing of more than 300 civilians, including children, women, and the elderly. He also referred to the invasion of the cities of Umm Rawaba and Al-Semaih, asserting that the drone war is a sign of the militia’s defeat. He noted the targeting of electricity and water stations, dams, oil refineries, airports, and ports in Port Sudan, Atbara, Kosti, Kassala, and Gedaref, as well as the destruction of fuel and gas depots, medicine warehouses, and the targeting of strategic and cultural facilities — such as looting museums, burning the Ministry of Higher Education, destroying the contents of the National Archives, burning university facilities, labs, and libraries, and looting factories, agricultural projects, and sugar plants.

Documenting Crimes

The ambassador pointed out that the militia, in its own foolishness, documented its crimes. He said the best example of this was the murder of the governor of West Darfur and the burial of 20,000 Massalit martyrs alive. He also cited the Salha massacre in Omdurman. He added that the most heinous militia crimes in Khartoum were revealed after its liberation, including the detention of hostages without providing basic food, water, or medical services. Some hostages were found near death; others were reduced to skeletons (Khartoum, Soba, and Jebel Aulia detention centers). Mass graves were discovered in public squares and fields, and dead bodies were found inside homes, including those of women and children.

A Terrorist Organization

Abdullah affirmed that the militia has committed war crimes, crimes of genocide, and crimes against humanity — all of which it documented itself. He called for it to be designated a terrorist organization. He said the rebel militia widely employed mercenaries, recruiting them from some neighboring African countries, others from Sudan’s neighboring states, and even from distant Latin American countries. He demanded punishment for the countries that supported the militia and facilitated the transit of mercenaries, weapons, and supplies, which prolonged the war and continues to threaten the entire region. He stressed that the war was imposed on Sudan and its army, and that the aggression was blatant. The people and army had no choice but to defend themselves, their borders, and their dignity. He stated that the armed forces, backed by the people and supporting forces, have liberated the states of Sennar, Gezira, Khartoum, Blue Nile, White Nile, and North Kordofan, and are preparing to advance into the remaining states of Kordofan and Darfur to cleanse them of the last remnants of the rebel militia. He concluded by saying that the food situation in the country is reassuring due to continued agricultural production in safe states, and that the government is working hard to restore electricity, water, and healthcare services with substantial support from friendly countries, international organizations, and specialized UN agencies.

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