In Love We Met, in Love We Part …. Egypt Bids Farewell to Hundreds of Sudanese

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Musa

Between overwhelming joy at returning to their homeland and tears streaming down their cheeks as they bid farewell to Egypt, its people, its streets, and its vibrant life, hundreds of Sudanese left Cairo, Monday, after more than two years during the war in Sudan.

Thank you, Egypt.

The Ramses train station in the Egyptian capital witnessed the presence of 1,000 Sudanese ready to head home. The Egyptian Ministry of Transport allocated a train to transport them to Aswan, in full coordination with the relevant authorities, to facilitate the voluntary return of Sudanese to their country, following the liberation of Khartoum, Gezira, and Sinar states, and the achievement of stability that would allow for this return.

The Sudanese carried their luggage, their inner voice repeating: “Thank you, Egypt.” They repeated it, held up signs, and wrote it on their clothes and bags. Egypt bid them farewell with love as it had welcomed them with open arms, wishing continued stability for the Sudan and for them, and still welcoming them back to Egypt, this time as visitors and tourists after the end of the damned war and the elimination of the criminal militia.

Free Initiative

This is the first train journey within the second phase of the return plan, implemented by the Sudanese Defense Industries Organization in full coordination with the Egyptian authorities. This historic journey was launched as part of a completely free initiative, with the Sudanese Defense Industries Organization bearing all costs associated with the journey, including internal transportation, meals, and train tickets, in direct cooperation with the Egyptian National Railways Authority, which provided a special train to transport the returnees to the city of Aswan. From there, the journey will continue by bus to the city of Wadi Halfa, then the capital, Khartoum.

Joint Coordination

The Egyptian Ministry of Transport has meanwhile confirmed that this coordination comes within the framework of joint cooperation and close fraternal relations between the two nations. It stated that as part of the Egyptian Railways’ implementation of all measures that contribute to facilitating the voluntary return of the Sudanese to their homeland, it was decided to operate a special 1940 train (third class air-conditioned) from Cairo to Aswan today. It departs Cairo Station at 11:00 AM and arrives in Aswan at 11:00 PM, according to the announced schedule.

Humanitarian Role

The Egyptian Railways Authority stated in a statement that this is within the framework of the humanitarian and societal role undertaken by the Egyptian state, represented by the Ministry of Transport and the Egyptian National Railways Authority. It added that Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, has instructed the Chairman of the Bord of Directors as well as the leaders of the Egyptian Railways Authority to provide every necessary service for the comfort of the Sudanese until their safe arrival at the High Dam Port. The Egyptian National Railways Authority wished the returnees a safe journey and a dignified return to their homeland.

Safer

For her part, Umaima Abdullah, head of the Voluntary Return Committee of the Defense Industries Organization, confirmed that the initiative has entered a qualitative new phase with the introduction of trains as a safer and more comfortable means of transportation. Umaima told Sudanhorizon that the second phase began with the departure of the first train carrying 1,000 passengers, and that trips will continue weekly every Monday from Cairo. She added that the Sudanese Defense Industries Organization covers the entire cost of the trip, and it provides this service completely free of charge, without imposing any burdens on the returnees.

She continued, “Since the launch of the project, we have been able to help more than 10,100 Sudanese return, and we are working hard to continue this humanitarian mission until all those who wish to return are able to do.”

Umaima expressed her thanks and appreciation to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Egyptian Minister of Transport Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir for their great support for the Sudanese people under these difficult circumstances, stressing that the Egyptian people have embraced the Sudanese as their brothers and sisters, and that they have not felt like strangers throughout their stay in Egypt.

Pre-registration

The head of the Voluntary Return Committee explained that the trips continue on a regular basis every week, stressing that there is ongoing coordination to ensure the organization and smooth running of the process.

She said, “We are registering the data of those wishing to return via a designated WhatsApp number, and we confirm that this service is completely free.” She added that the train can accommodate 1,000 people, and therefore they are adopting a pre-registration system to ensure order and fairness in providing opportunities.

Omaima Abdullah warned of attempts to exploit this initiative by some individuals seeking personal gain, stressing that the committee only deals with the announced number and carefully verifies all data to ensure that support reaches those who deserve it.

We bid farewell to our country.

Ahmed, who is returning to the Kalakla area, continues to repeat the phrase “Thank you, Egypt.” Ahmed, who is nearly thirty years old, told Sudanhorizon, “We are returning to our country today, and we feel that we are also bidding farewell to our country.”

He added that Egypt was a safe haven for them throughout the war, embracing and welcoming them with open arms.

He continued, “After the liberation of Khartoum and Gezira, Sudan needs our efforts in rebuilding what was destroyed by the war.”

He emphasized that the Sudanese have a great responsibility in rebuilding their country. He said, “We cannot remain outside our country, which needs us at this critical time.”

He added, “We know that there will be challenges and difficulties that we will face, but we will persevere in order to rebuild our country.” ‘’I miss my life.

As for Ishraqa, who was holding her baby, tears rolling on her face when we approached her and asked her how she felt about returning to Sudan. She said, “I cannot describe how I feel about returning to Khartoum and to my life, which I miss so much.”

Ishraqa told Sudanhorizon “I know that I will suffer in the first period, as electricity and water have not yet fully returned, but I will endure all the hardships. Despite the comfortable and easy life in Egypt, we are a people who cannot live far from Sudan.”

She thanked the Egyptian people for their hospitality and kind treatment, saying, “We return with unforgettable memories with our Egyptian friends, and we will return to them on future visits. After the situation stabilizes, we will invite them to visit us in Sudan.”

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=6574