Sudan’s Consul in Aswan to Sudanhorizon: At Least 45,000 Returnees from Egypt After Eid

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Musa

Sudan’s Consul General in Aswan, Ambassador Abdul Qader Abdullah, confirmed that the number of voluntary returnees from Egypt is increasing and proceeding smoothly.

In a statement to the Sudanhorizon news website, Abdullah said that the number of returnees from Egypt after Eid Al-Fitr averaged 2,500 people per day, with 50 buses arriving daily. He added that on some days, as many as 100 buses arrived during the Eid holiday. He explained that no fewer than 45,000 people have been transported so far. He noted that the Sinai ferry has returned to service after undergoing maintenance, and said this will greatly assist in smoothing the return process without congestion. He explained that the congestion was due to the ferries not being able to accommodate the number of returnees.

He said that the congestion occurred in Abu Simbel, and that the Arqin crossing is now receiving the surplus from Abu Simbel to prevent overcrowding. The Sudanese Consul General in Aswan praised the facilities provided by the Egyptian authorities to facilitate the voluntary return of Sudanese nationals. He stated that the most important of these facilities is the lack of accountability for returnees. He added that some entered Egypt illegally or whose residency permits expired, and the Egyptian authorities do not hold returnees accountable or impose any fines resulting from this. He added that even those caught entering Egypt illegally are deported to Sudan without any penalty.

The Sudanese Consul General in Aswan appealed to donors to provide more funding and assistance to those wishing to return from Egypt. He stated that the consulate’s capabilities in Aswan are not encouraging, and that assistance is limited in exceptional cases for families in difficulty or providing medication for patients. He explained that the consulate’s role is limited to raising awareness of the absence of problems and encouraging return. He stated that return to all central, northern, and eastern states is now possible, despite the scarcity of services. He added that the Sudanese authorities are working diligently to restore these services after militias sabotaged them by looting electricity cables, damaging transformers, and destroying all services.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=5270