More than 100 South Sudanese nationals are stranded at Aswan port after being returned from Wadi Halfa, amid ongoing disputes over their entry status between Sudanese and Egyptian authorities.
Local sources say the group arrived in Wadi Halfa under a voluntary return programme overseen by the Hope Committee. However, Sudanese authorities said their names were not included on approved passenger lists and ordered their return at the border.
Officials in Sudan cleared 30 individuals after verifying documents showing administrative links to the Abyei border region, while the remainder were sent back to Aswan.
On arrival in Egypt, Egyptian authorities reportedly refused to allow the passengers to disembark, leaving them stuck in the port’s maritime zone without a clear resolution.
Some returnees also claimed the group had not been seen at designated assembly points or checkpoints before boarding, raising questions about the organisation of the transfer process and possible procedural gaps.
Local media report that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating as the passengers remain stranded, with no administrative solution yet agreed between the two countries.
The group is now awaiting official intervention to clarify their legal status and determine the next steps in coordination between Sudanese and Egyptian authorities.
Reports also suggest that Egypt has recently tightened residency procedures, affecting Sudanese refugees living in cities such as Cairo and Alexandria amid ongoing economic and security pressures.
