Sudan’s Consul General in Aswan to Sudanhorizon: Total of 290,278 Sudanese Returning from Egypt Via the Arqin and Qastal Border Crossings

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Musa

Sudan’s Consul General in Aswan, Ambassador Abdul Qader Abdullah, announced that the total number of Sudanese returning from Egypt via the Arqin and Qastal-Ashkeet border crossings reached 290,278.
Abdullah said in exclusive statements to the Sudanhorizon news website that the number of those who returned from Egypt throughout 2024 reached 75,000, and that the total number of those who returned from January to May of this year reached 179,778. He added that the total number of returnees from June 1 to 14 reached 35,500. He explained that this does not include those returning by air or those who departed to other countries.

The second batch of Sudanese voluntary returnees departed the Luxor Governorate under the banner of the Second Free Voluntary Return Convoy for Sudanese. This comes as part of ongoing efforts to facilitate the return of Sudanese families wishing to return to their homeland. The convoy was sponsored and funded directly by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, and monitored by the Consul General of Sudan in Upper Egypt. The convoy included two buses carrying Sudanese families, following a previous batch of two buses that departed before Eid al-Adha. The free voluntary return initiative aims to ease the burden on Sudanese families residing in Egypt and wishing to return to Sudan.

Ambassador Abdel Qader Abdullah confirmed that Al-Azhar has made tremendous efforts and provided generous support to Sudanese families in Luxor. Abdullah told Sudanhorizon that this support included covering the costs of those returning from the governorate to Wadi Halfa, as well as humanitarian and medical aid for Sudanese families still in Luxor. He added that other assistance is also being provided by the Coptic Church. The Sudanese Consul General in Aswan explained that this initiative comes within the framework of humanitarian and community cooperation between Sudan and Egypt, and in full coordination with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and the Sudanese-Egyptian Brothers Initiative to support Sudanese families.

He said, “We are working hard, using all available means, to provide the necessary support and care for members of the Sudanese community, and we always strive to ensure their safe and dignified return to their homeland.” He expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, for this noble humanitarian initiative, which reflects the spirit of sincere brotherhood between the two peoples. He emphasized that Egypt and Sudan are one homeland and one people. He stated that our historical and fraternal ties are inseparable, and these initiatives will remain a symbol of true solidarity between the two countries. He praised the facilities provided by the Egyptian authorities to returnees, including the exemption from any accumulated fines.

Abdullah pointed to initiatives by Sudanese businessmen to transport returnees from Egypt to Sudan, indicating that the Sudanese government is now considering funding more voluntary returns to the country.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=5999