Ongoing War in Sudan; Refugees Face Many Challenges in Egypt

The war that has been ongoing for about two weeks in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has forced tens of thousands of Sudanese people to flee the country. Meanwhile, those fleeing from northern Sudan to Egypt are facing significant challenges. In addition to having to pay exorbitant costs for travel by truck and bus, they are forced to sleep on the ground, have nothing to cover their heads from the scorching sun, and sometimes go days without food or water for washing. The battle between the Sudanese army and the 'Rapid Support Forces' began on April 15, and following the shelling, Khartoum and its neighboring cities, namely Omdurman and Bahri, have been emptied of civilian life. On Monday, May 1, Egypt announced that 40,000 Sudanese had crossed its borders, and the United Nations warned that if the fighting continues, more than 800,000 people may flee the country. The population of Sudan is 46 million. Some Sudanese people are afraid to leave their property unprotected or are concerned about enduring a grueling journey with sick or elderly relatives or young children, but they are seeking safety. According to the report, many Sudanese have sought refuge in Saudi Arabia by boat from the Sudanese port. Meanwhile, the price of bus tickets to Egypt has risen to about $500 per passenger. Therefore, those who can afford the travel costs are relatively wealthy. However, many of those entering Egypt are from low-income backgrounds. At the border crossings, one can see women and elderly people covered in dust, pulling carts full of belongings. Men are often not accompanying women and children due to the visa requirement for entering Egypt, and many of them are in northern Sudan to obtain visas. According to Reuters, many complain about the lack of food, water, shelter, and toilets along their journey, stating that they have had to sleep inside buses or on trash-filled roads. Farid, 77, says that upon entering Egypt, people face long and harsh interrogations by Egyptian officials. He adds, 'They humiliate us. They shout and say they will send us back.' According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials are providing emergency relief services at the crossings and are trying to expedite the entry process by increasing the number of border patrol forces. In the Sudan crisis, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army commander, and General Mohamed Hamdan, known as Hemeti, the commander of the 'Rapid Support Forces,' are fighting for power. Neighboring countries of Sudan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations have managed to secure the parties' agreement for a humanitarian ceasefire through diplomatic efforts, but nevertheless, Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, remains under attack from both sides.