I heard, from several phone calls with Sudanese individuals in Egypt over the past few days, they expect the return to Sudan to accelerate. After having left due to the conditions of war, the Sudanese are expected to return in large numbers with the launch of a new round of the voluntary return program through which the Sudanese government and certain institutions and philanthropists cover the cost of the trip for those seeking to return.
These expectations are not unfounded. They stem from tangible shifts that have led many to conclude that returning has become their only option despite all the challenges. Prolonged displacement (longer than they had anticipated) has become financially unsustainable, both for them and for the expatriates who had been supporting, who are themselves facing challenges caused by the Iranian war and its wide-ranging consequences for countries in the region, their economies, and indeed the global economy as a whole.
Authorities in Khartoum State have said that more than three million displaced persons and refugees have returned. Most of them had fled to neighboring states or Port Sudan. According to estimates, the population of the Khartoum State has risen around eight million, a large segment of whom are in Karari, which received significant numbers of displaced people during the war and continues to receive Sudanese who return to find better living conditions than in other parts of the capital that are still suffering from the repercussions of war and the disruption of basic services.
This return is not merely a meaningless statistic. It reflects a measure of hope for the acceleration of life’s restoration in the capital and its suburbs, as well as in other states that suffered from the expansion of the Rapid Support Forces before they were forced to withdraw.
It is true that challenges persist after the war began its fourth year in just a few days. However, we are now seeing the iron resolve of many Sudanese. Millions are returning to their homes and rebuilding their lives in regions that have become safe. At its core, return is not merely a geographical issue; it reflects a refusal to surrender to the reality of displacement and a reaffirmation of one’s love for the homeland.
There are those who try to discourage return for political reasons, seeing it as a "victory" for the government. This is a narrow conception of things. It demonstrates the extent to which polarization and conflict have permeated everything, leaving no space for respect of the nation or its citizens. Others justify their personal reluctance to return on practical grounds. They prefer a life they consider more comfortable than the hardships awaiting them in Sudan. These individuals choose to risk seeing their homes looted and destroyed. The risks only grow the longer homes remain empty.
Some factions have, against this backdrop, spread rumors to sow doubt among those considering return. For this reason, Prime Minister Kamil Idris, along with several ministers and officials, visited the Ashkeet crossing in Wadi Halfa this week. Their goal was to inspect the services offered to returnees from Egypt and investigate reports of irregularities and illegal levies. From there, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, the Governor of the Northern State, and the Director of Customs announced that there are no fees or taxes on voluntary return. Returnees' personal belongings are exempt from customs duties. These announcements were made in response to claims that returnees face complications at border crossings and are subjected to burdensome, unofficial charges.
Why is returning necessary despite the difficulties?
Returning may seem like a difficult choice to make. The country is still struggling to restore normalcy as the war rages on. Upon closer examination, however, a fundamental truth becomes clear. Returning is not a luxury. It is a necessity imposed by complex human, economic, and social factors.
The first is the deep human dimension of this need. Return is tied to belonging, to the longing for roots and homeland, which provide a sense of identity and psychological stability. Years of displacement do not only strip away stability; they also fracture social ties, weaken family cohesion, and force many to live in undignified conditions. Return, from this perspective, is an attempt to reclaim a semblance of normal life, albeit imperfect.
Economic realities also impose themselves. Life in exile is often costly and unstable. Opportunities for work and income are limited. Many families have exhausted their savings. They can no longer meet basic needs or keep up with rising living costs.
The importance of return extends beyond the individual and the family. It is also crucial for the well-being of Sudan’s state and society. Reconstruction cannot begin amid the absence of the population itself. Homes are not rebuilt to remain empty. Services cannot be restored without a community to use and demand them. Return is not only an act of support for the homeland. It is a necessary condition for its recovery.
