Kufra, August 17(Darfur 24)
A number of Sudanese refugees in Libya called on authorities on Saturday to open border crossings between Libya and Sudan to allow them to return home given the difficult conditions inside Libya.
They pointed out that the closure of the Triangle Road after the Rapid Support Forces took control of it caused a crisis, with no other alternatives routes . They also noted the high cost of travel to Sudan via Chad, coupled with the significant risks of arrest or death on the way through Egypt while crossing the mountains.
Refugee Saddam Yaqoub Abdullah told Darfur 24 that he and his family had arrived in Kufra from the Libyan capital, Tripoli, last June. He had sold his furniture to return to his home state, Sennar, south of Khartoum, for the agricultural season. However, could not make it because the Triangle Road was closed.
He explained that all his money had run out and he now relied on donations from his family. He called on the Sudanese government and the Rapid Support Forces to open the crossing and declare it a demilitarized zone to enable thousands to return to the country.
Hafez Ishaq Zakaria, a Sudanese refugee wishing to return with his family from the city of Sabha, stated that the only available option was the Chadian route, which costs about one million Sudanese pounds per person to reach the Chadian city of Tina alone.
He pointed out that returning to Sudan requires first traveling to the Chadian capital, N’Djamena, and then flying to Cairo before returning to Port Sudan, due to the lack of an open road linking Darfur to Khartoum.
In the Libyan city of Misrata, a number of families said they were awaiting the voluntary repatriation program planned by the Sudanese embassy. It will be implemented in the coming period.
These families explained that they face significant difficulties, especially in the field of education, as Libyan authorities require a valid residency permit to register children in schools, in addition to the high tuition fees for Sudanese schools, which exceed 400,000 pounds for the academic year.
Refugee Moatasem Abdel Rahim from Misrata said that foreigners’ wages have fallen to approximately 1,400 Libyan dinars (the equivalent of $200) per month, while the minimum rental cost for housing has reached 700 Libyan dinars (the equivalent of $100).
He called on the Libyan authorities and the Sudanese government to open the Triangle crossing to facilitate voluntary return for those wishing to go back home.
For its part, the Sudanese consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi announced the start of registration of Sudanese wishing to return, following the steady improvement in the security situation in the country.
The consulate said in a press statement received by Darfur 24 that the registration process will be conducted via an electronic link or by visiting the community offices in the regions and municipalities of southern and eastern Libya, including Marj, Al Bayda, Shahat, Al Qubbah, Derna, Tobruk, Brega, Ajdabiya, Jalu, Awjila, Kufra, Sabha, and Al Jufra.
The Consulate noted the need to complete the registration process before September 25.