Egyptian authorities have intensified security operations, deporting dozens of Sudanese refugees to Wadi Halfa on January 2 following crackdowns targeting undocumented migrants in the southern city of Aswan.
Refugees arriving in Wadi Halfa, a key transit point between Egypt and Sudan, reported that Egyptian security forces targeted Sudanese nationals without refugee status cards issued by the UNHCR. Many of the deportees had recently traveled to Aswan using illegal routes facilitated by trucks transporting refugees from northern and eastern Sudan.
“I left Khartoum in mid-December 2024 and headed to Atbara in northern Sudan. From there, I joined a truck carrying refugees to Aswan, hoping to apply for asylum with the UNHCR,” a Sudanese refugee told Ultra Sudan, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal. “When we arrived in Aswan, we usually take the train to Cairo, but security forces conducted checks at the station, arrested us, and immediately deported us to Wadi Halfa.”
The refugee described a harrowing journey from Omdurman to Atbara that took two weeks, fleeing violence and hardship in Sudan’s conflict zones. “I hoped to reunite with my brother in Cairo, but my dreams were crushed when I was apprehended in Aswan and sent back with many others,” he added.
Egypt has ramped up measures to combat irregular migration, particularly against Sudanese refugees who cross the border in trucks to escape the ongoing conflict between General al-Burhan’s forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Officials have increased surveillance at Aswan’s train station, arresting refugees without documentation and deporting them under tight security to Wadi Halfa via the Argeen border crossing.
The UNHCR estimates that over one million Sudanese refugees have fled to Egypt, escaping the dire humanitarian crisis caused by the war. Rights groups have criticized Egypt for failing to provide adequate protection, noting the lack of border reception facilities for asylum applications.
Many refugees face long waits for temporary asylum cards, enduring difficult conditions in Egypt while navigating bureaucratic challenges. “The process to obtain refugee status can take months, leaving many stranded in precarious situations,” said a source familiar with the refugee process.
Egypt’s crackdown highlights the growing challenges faced by Sudanese refugees, as they grapple with limited support and heightened security measures in their search for safety.
