Sudan Accused of Forcing Refugee Returns While Seeking International Acceptance
Khartoum, 3 February 2026
Sudan’s military government faces serious allegations of coercing refugees to return home, even as Khartoum attempts to project stability following the reopening of its international airport on 25 January 2026. The accusations centre on refugees in Egypt and other neighbouring countries who report document confiscation and increased security operations targeting Sudanese asylum seekers. Particularly concerning are reports from refugees whose UNHCR appointments are scheduled years ahead—one asylum seeker registered in September 2024 won’t be processed until October 2026. These forced return claims directly contradict Sudan’s efforts to rejoin regional blocs like IGAD, which praised the military junta’s ‘National Initiative’ on 29 January. The controversy highlights the stark disconnect between Sudan’s international normalisation campaign and the reality faced by hundreds of thousands who fled the country’s ongoing civil war.
Context: From Humanitarian Crisis to Normalisation Claims
This latest development follows Sudan’s receipt of emergency humanitarian aid in January, when Turkey and Qatar delivered 2,428 tonnes of food and shelter supplies as the United Nations described the situation as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis [previous article]. The timing of these forced return allegations is particularly significant as Sudan attempts to rebuild its international image following the Sudanese Armed Forces’ retaking of Khartoum in August 2025 [1]. The reopening of Khartoum International Airport on 25 January 2026 marked a symbolic moment in this normalisation campaign, with state carrier Sudan Airways landing at the airport for the first time in two years [1].
Egypt Intensifies Operations Against Sudanese Refugees
Egypt has significantly escalated security operations targeting Sudanese refugees, with operations concentrated in areas including Faisal, Hadayek Al-Ahram, Dahshur, 6th of October City, and parts of Giza [1]. These operations involve document confiscation and impose requirements for residency permits that prove nearly impossible to obtain due to severe UNHCR processing delays [1]. The bureaucratic maze facing refugees reveals the depth of the crisis: one Sudanese asylum seeker who registered with UNHCR in September 2024 has been scheduled for residency processing in October 2026—a staggering delay of 2 years, occurring seven months after their UNHCR card expires [1]. This systematic approach suggests coordination between Egyptian authorities and pressure from Sudanese officials seeking to force returns.
Sudan’s Diplomatic Push for Regional Reintegration
While refugees face mounting pressure to return, Sudan’s government has actively courted regional acceptance through diplomatic channels. On 29 January 2026, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) consulted with Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil El-Tayeb Idris on peace and security matters [1]. IGAD’s subsequent statement praised the military junta’s National Initiative and declared: ‘IGAD reiterates its readiness to welcome the Republic of the Sudan back into its institutional framework’ [1]. This diplomatic overture comes despite Sudan’s suspension from African Union activities since October 2021, following the military coup that overthrew the transitional government [1]. The disconnect between IGAD’s welcoming stance and the reality facing displaced Sudanese citizens highlights the complex dynamics of regional politics versus human rights considerations.
Regional Stability Concerns and Parallel Governance
The forced return allegations occur against a backdrop of continuing internal division within Sudan, where the Rapid Support Forces declared a parallel government in September 2025 [1]. This political fragmentation raises serious questions about the safety of forced returns, particularly given that Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, and Ethiopia remain the primary destinations for Sudanese refugees fleeing violence [1]. Sudan’s authorities in Port Sudan have urged citizens abroad to return before Ramadan, adding a religious dimension to the repatriation pressure [1]. However, with ongoing conflict and competing governance structures, the conditions for safe and voluntary return remain questionable. The involvement of UN peacekeeping forces in neighbouring South Sudan, where Tanzanian troops recently completed their UNMISS deployment [2][3], underscores the broader regional security challenges that make premature refugee returns potentially dangerous.