Egypt tightens border rules for Sudanese

Very simple procedures were initially in place for Sudanese citizens to enter the Arab Republic of Egypt, as many Sudanese fled north toward Egypt as refugees after the outbreak of war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces. However, the Egyptian government began tightening the procedures for Sudanese nationals and stopped granting visas to many of them.

This led to the emergence of smuggling operations using four-wheel-drive vehicles from Sudan into Egypt. This phenomenon spread during the early stages of the war and was used by many Sudanese citizens, costing each person approximately $300.

Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict that began in April 2023 continue to face severe challenges both en route to and within Egypt. Despite Egypt being a primary destination for those escaping violence, authorities have implemented harsh entry requirements including mandatory visas and high fees, forcing many refugees to attempt dangerous desert crossings with smugglers. These journeys have proven deadly, with refugees facing extreme heat, dehydration, and accidents, while smugglers charge excessive fees for unsafe transport.

Those who reach Egypt often encounter additional hardships. Human rights investigations have uncovered that Egyptian authorities have detained thousands of Sudanese refugees in undisclosed facilities and deported many without proper asylum procedures, drawing international criticism.

Statistics from UNHCR indicate that over 1.5 million Sudanese have entered Egypt since the conflict began, with more than 900,000 seeking official registration. Nevertheless, the fundamental challenges remain unresolved, with human rights organizations continuing to document cases of detention and deportation of refugees.

As the conflict in Sudan continues, the international community faces mounting pressure to ensure refugee rights are upheld and that proper humanitarian assistance reaches those in need, whether they remain in Egypt or attempt to return to Sudan.