Hundreds of Sudanese refugees in Egypt have begun a free, government-funded journey back to Khartoum, marking a poignant milestone in the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has gripped Sudan since the civil war erupted in April 2023. On Monday, scores of families gathered at Cairo’s central train station, carrying their lives in small bags and bittersweet emotions etched on their faces, as they embarked on the long trek home.
The Egyptian government has stepped in to fund transportation for Sudanese nationals wishing to return home following the Sudanese Armed Forces’ (SAF) recent recapture of the capital city, Khartoum, from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rival paramilitary group. The journey spans approximately 2,080 kilometers (1,292 miles), beginning with a 12-hour train ride to Aswan in southern Egypt, followed by ferries and buses that cross into war-torn Sudan.
This initiative comes as Sudan struggles to recover from a brutal civil war that has killed over 40,000 people and triggered one of the world’s largest displacement emergencies. According to the United Nations, more than 7 million people have been displaced internally, while Egypt alone now hosts over 1.5 million Sudanese refugees.
Khartoum, once held by the RSF since the start of the conflict in 2023, was recaptured by government forces in May 2025. Although the city was devastated, with critical infrastructure such as the presidential palace and airport left in ruins there are signs of a fragile recovery. Markets are beginning to reopen, and residents are slowly returning, despite ongoing challenges with electricity and basic services.
The journey home is both emotional and symbolic. For many, it represents hope for peace and a longing to rebuild what was lost. Sudanese journalist Asem al-Taieb, one of the passengers on the train, described the mood as a complex mix of joy and sorrow. “People are overwhelmed,” he said, “leaving Egypt where they found refuge, but also excited to return to a homeland scarred by war.”
This repatriation effort is seen by analysts as a critical move not only to ease Egypt’s refugee burden but also to support Sudan’s long path toward peace and reconstruction. Yet, the situation remains volatile, and humanitarian groups have warned that sustained international support and national reconciliation will be essential for Sudan’s recovery.
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