At Cairo’s Ramses Train Station, scenes of joy, sorrow, and apprehension played out as hundreds of Sudanese families boarded the second train convoy bound for their homeland. Many had lived in Egypt for more than two years, forced into refuge by the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Now, they leave behind the safety of a welcoming country to embrace an uncertain future in Sudan.
The returnees carried not only their belongings but also mixed emotions—relief at returning home, sadness at parting from a land that sheltered them, and anxiety over basic services still scarce in many areas of Sudan. Their decision was fueled by optimism following recent military gains in Khartoum and Al-Jazirah states, along with gradual improvements in living conditions.
The Military Industry Corporation, backed by the Egyptian government and Sudanese Embassy, organized the return under its Voluntary Return Project. Initially using buses, it shifted to trains to ease the journey for families, covering all costs to ensure accessibility.
Sudanese Ambassador to Egypt, Lt. Gen. Imad Al-Din Adawi, praised Egypt’s generosity during the displacement and expressed gratitude for its continued support. He emphasized that these voluntary returns are not just about going home, but about contributing to Sudan’s reconstruction with the solidarity of neighboring Egypt.
