As conflict continues to ravage Sudan, thousands of refugees have fled to neighboring Egypt in search of safety. However, for many Sudanese refugees, the journey from one crisis to another has been fraught with peril, as they now find themselves caught between the violence of their homeland and an increasingly harsh crackdown by Egyptian authorities.
The war in Sudan, reignited by the power struggle between the military factions in April 2023, has left millions displaced, with more than 300,000 Sudanese seeking refuge in Egypt. Families have crossed the border, often after harrowing journeys through the deserts of northern Sudan, facing hunger, dehydration, and the constant threat of violence.
For many, Egypt seemed a logical destination. Historically, Egypt has been a common haven for Sudanese fleeing political instability, and the two nations share deep cultural and economic ties. In the early days of the conflict, the Egyptian government opened its doors, offering relative sanctuary for the displaced.
However, as the influx of refugees has swelled, Egypt’s initial openness has been replaced by strict border controls, visa restrictions, and an intensified crackdown on those already within its borders.
Sudanese refugees who manage to make it into Egypt are often met with poor living conditions and limited resources. Most are housed in impoverished districts of Cairo and other cities, sharing cramped rooms with multiple families. With little access to formal employment, many refugees are forced into exploitative labor or left to rely on scarce humanitarian aid.
The situation here is dire, says Hassan, a Sudanese refugee who fled with his wife and three children to Cairo. We left the war, but we are still living in fear. The Egyptian police harass us constantly, and we can’t find work or afford food. We thought Egypt would be our safe haven, but now we feel trapped.
Egypt has long been a host country for migrants from Africa and the Middle East, but the sudden increase in Sudanese refugees has strained local resources. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other aid agencies have struggled to keep up with the growing need for food, healthcare, and education. As of September 2024, over 60,000 Sudanese refugees are registered with the UNHCR, though the actual number is likely much higher due to unregistered individuals living in the shadows.
As the number of refugees has grown, Egyptian authorities have ramped up restrictions and surveillance of Sudanese communities. A wave of arrests, deportations, and visa cancellations has left refugees vulnerable and scared.
We are not allowed to live freely, said Amira, a Sudanese woman who lives in the Al-Matariyyah district of Cairo. Police randomly stop us on the streets and ask for documents. Even if we have the right papers, they treat us like criminals. If we don’t, we are taken away.
In addition to the government crackdown, Sudanese refugees face increasing xenophobia and discrimination from locals, many of whom blame them for exacerbating Egypt’s already high unemployment and economic difficulties. Refugees report frequent instances of harassment and violence, with little recourse to legal protection.
Egypt’s economy, already burdened by inflation, unemployment, and currency devaluation, has been further strained by the refugee crisis. The Egyptian government has pointed to these economic challenges to justify its increasingly strict measures.
Although the government initially waived visa fees for Sudanese citizens at the onset of the conflict, this policy was reversed in June 2023. Since then, it has become more difficult for refugees to enter the country legally, and those already present face an uncertain future. Thousands of refugees now find themselves stuck at the border, unable to cross or return home.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have raised alarms over Egypt’s treatment of Sudanese refugees, urging the international community to intervene. The situation is untenable, said a spokesperson from Amnesty International. The Egyptian government needs to respect the rights of refugees under international law, but they are instead making it nearly impossible for them to find safety.
Despite Egypt’s challenges, the international community’s response to the refugee crisis has been limited. Humanitarian organizations have struggled to secure adequate funding, while Western governments have been slow to offer resettlement programs or diplomatic pressure.
Meanwhile, regional bodies such as the African Union and the Arab League have focused on diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan, though a peaceful solution remains elusive.
For Sudanese refugees in Egypt, the future remains uncertain. As the war in Sudan shows no signs of abating, more families will inevitably seek refuge in Egypt, adding to the already strained resources and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
The UNHCR and other organizations have called for increased support from the international community, both in terms of financial assistance to Egypt and in creating pathways for refugee resettlement in other countries. However, without immediate action, the crisis will only worsen, leaving Sudanese refugees trapped between a war-torn homeland and a country where they are unwelcome.We fled for our lives, but now we are living in fear again, said Hassan. We don’t know what to do. We need help, but no one seems to care.
Ennywealth
