On Monday morning, the first train specifically designated for the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese citizens departed from Ramses Station in Cairo. This humanitarian and organizational initiative aims to facilitate the return of displaced Sudanese after years of war and hardship.
The inaugural journey transported 1,000 Sudanese free of charge to the High Dam station in Aswan. Egyptian authorities were responsible for securing, receiving, and providing all necessary services to the passengers to ensure their safe transfer to the Arqin border crossing, after which they are organized onto buses for onward travel inside Sudan. This rail journey represents a major improvement over previous efforts that relied solely on buses and faced challenges such as delays and organizational obstacles.
Joint Egyptian-Sudanese efforts
Operation of train No. 1940—a third-class air-conditioned service—reflects bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Sudan, as well as Egypt’s humanitarian commitment to supporting Sudanese citizens during this extraordinary period of sustained conflict in Sudan. The governor of Aswan confirmed that all exceptional measures had been put in place to welcome the returnees and secure safe provisions for their overland crossing, in coordination with various state agencies. Free meals were provided throughout the journey, and Sudanese passengers expressed gratitude for Egypt’s hospitality.
The Sudanese Voluntary Return Committee explained that the second phase of this initiative aims to continue the repatriation of thousands of Sudanese, with names being registered through specialized committees in an organized and coordinated manner between the two countries. It is anticipated that the train journeys will take place weekly, in light of the improved security situation within Sudan and growing demand among Sudanese communities in Egypt to return home.
On the Sudanese side, the country’s “Military Industry Corporation” announced it would cover all costs for the trip as part of the wide-reaching “Rageen” (We Are Coming Back) initiative. This program seeks to repatriate about 100,000 Sudanese during the current phase, as part of official and community-led efforts to rebuild after the army regained control of Khartoum and achieved a measure of stability.
Since the war broke out in mid-2023, more than 1.5 million Sudanese have sought refuge in Egypt. Official statistics place the number of Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt at over 690,000, making the new train service a significant step towards alleviating the displacement crisis and ensuring the safe return of the largest possible number of Sudanese families.
