Sudanese Families Begin Return Journey from Egypt Amid Hopes of Stability

 Carrying large suitcases and bundles of belongings, Sudanese families gathered at Cairo’s central railway station, preparing to return to their homeland after months of displacement caused by Sudan’s civil war. For many, the journey back represents a hopeful return to normalcy and a deep yearning for home.

“I miss every corner of Sudan. I’m truly happy to be going back,” said Malaz Atef, one of the returnees, speaking to Reuters.

These families are among the growing number of Sudanese nationals choosing to return from Egypt to areas around Khartoum that have been reclaimed by the Sudanese Armed Forces from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the beginning of 2025. They boarded a complimentary train to Aswan, in southern Egypt, from where buses would transport them to Khartoum. Some children in the crowd wore hats reading “Thank You, Egypt” in Arabic — a gesture of gratitude toward their host country.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 4 million Sudanese fled to neighboring countries following the outbreak of conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF in April 2023. Egypt alone hosted more than 1.5 million of them.

Recent data from IOM indicates a significant shift: over 190,000 Sudanese have returned from Egypt since the start of 2025 — more than five times the number recorded throughout 2024.

Describing the development as a pivotal moment, Sudan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Emad el-Din Adawy, who visited the station this week, remarked, “These returns signal an important stage in the process of national reconstruction and restoring stability.”

While relative peace has returned to Khartoum and its surrounding regions, violent clashes between the RSF and the Sudanese army continue in central Kordofan and in al-Fashir, located in the Darfur region. The conflict, originally triggered by a power struggle over Sudan’s transition to civilian governance, has displaced over 12 million people and driven nearly half the population into acute food insecurity, according to United Nations estimates.

In Egypt, some Sudanese refugees have faced significant challenges, including limited job opportunities and instances of discrimination. Egyptian authorities have deported thousands of individuals accused of crossing the border illegally, while many others have opted to migrate further, including to Libya.

The weekly trains facilitating voluntary repatriation from Cairo to Sudan are reportedly funded by Sudanese businessmen, Ambassador Adawy said. Most returnees are headed to Khartoum, as well as to the southern states of Sennar and El Gezira, according to the IOM.

Despite continued insecurity in parts of Sudan, the growing wave of returnees suggests a glimmer of hope for a country still grappling with the devastating impact of prolonged conflict.