Tripoli – Al-Yurae – Sputnik News:
Sudan’s ambassador to Libya, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim, announced the launch of a free voluntary return program for Sudanese citizens displaced by the ongoing conflict, offering exit visas and domestic transport from the Port of Suakin to all safe states across Sudan.
In recent months, Libya has witnessed a sharp increase in the number of Sudanese fleeing the war in their homeland in search of safety and stability. Local authorities in the southeastern city of Kufra report that the city is struggling to manage the growing influx of displaced people, many of whom are living in precarious humanitarian conditions.
Large numbers of displaced Sudanese families have taken shelter on the outskirts of Kufra, particularly in farming areas, where they remain exposed to disease amid plummeting temperatures. Children, women, and the elderly are among the most vulnerable groups affected.
To mitigate these challenges, several international organizations are helping to pay the salaries of local doctors and provide medical and health assistance in the city’s hospitals. Humanitarian groups—working in coordination with the Municipal Council, the Anti-Illegal Migration Authority, and Kufra’s Security Directorate—have distributed aid packages consisting of food, cleaning materials, clothing, bedding, and blankets.
These efforts are supported by major international partners, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Red Crescent.
Sudanese Consul General in Benghazi, Abdul Rahman Mohammed Rahmatallah, told Sputnik that the consulate “fully performs its duties toward Sudanese nationals abroad” by providing consular services, identity documentation, and coordination with official bodies to resolve migration issues and deliver necessary assistance.
Rahmatallah explained that the consulate also offers direct humanitarian support through close coordination with international organizations, targeting those “facing dire humanitarian conditions, particularly Sudanese who have suffered extreme violations and atrocities at the hands of the rebel Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.”
He stressed that the consulate ensures international organizations uphold their humanitarian responsibilities toward Sudanese citizens, noting that “this is a fundamental right of all Sudanese under Sudan’s membership in the international community.”
The consul general praised Libyan authorities for their cooperation and support, saying they continue to provide shelter, food, clothing, healthcare, and education for Sudanese displaced populations despite limited local resources.
However, he acknowledged that the soaring number of displaced people and the growing desire of many to return home through the new voluntary repatriation program remain significant challenges especially as conditions in areas like El-Fasher in Darfur and North Kordofan worsen under siege and severe shortages of humanitarian supplies.
Rahmatallah added that the consulate works continuously with Libyan institutions to improve Sudanese living conditions, including waiving entry stamp requirements for residency permits, supporting employment opportunities, and contributing to improved livelihoods for displaced families.
He also highlighted ongoing cooperation to stabilize education access, through measures such as recognizing Sudanese academic qualifications, waiving residency requirements for school enrollment in Libya, opening schools that follow the Sudanese curriculum, and organizing national-level exams for primary, intermediate, and secondary students at the Sudanese-Libyan Brotherhood School in Benghazi.
“The consulate continues to expand the scope and improve the delivery of assistance to Sudanese communities across Libya,” Rahmatallah said, emphasizing the role of Sudanese community committees in ensuring aid reaches those most in need and responding more effectively to the country’s growing humanitarian crisis.
