Sudanese refugees in South Sudan make urgent plea for peace

MABAN – Sudanese refugees seeking shelter at the Doru Camp Transit Center in Maban County, Upper Nile State, South Sudan, have issued a heartfelt appeal to their government to end the ongoing conflict, enabling their safe return home.

James Oukunen, 41, a former resident of Blue Nile’s Kurmuk region and father of ten, recounted his harrowing journey to the transit camp, having fled his homeland just four days prior. He described the devastating impact of the conflict, leaving his village in ruins and forcing families to scatter.

“I urge the Sudanese government to bring an end to this conflict. It disrupts people’s lives. I am fortunate to have reached this camp alive, but others are still struggling, and many are now displaced,” Oukunen pleaded.

Insecurities, including the confiscation of personal belongings and forced evictions, were cited as the primary reasons for fleeing their homes. Atif Sultan, a representative who led the group from their village to the transit camp, emphasized the additional challenges posed by flooding along their route.

“We encountered flooding, making it difficult to traverse certain areas, especially with children,” Sultan recounted.

Khamisa Omer echoed the call for peace, emphasizing her desire to return home.

According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), over 6 million people have been displaced within and outside Sudan since mid-April 2023, with at least 1.2 million fleeing to neighboring countries seeking safety and protection.

Recently, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, urged the warring parties to uphold the Jeddeh agreement. She highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and protection for displaced Sudanese civilians.

“More than 6 million people have been forced to flee their homes and are displaced within Sudan or in neighboring countries. They are not just numbers; they are individuals whose lives have been uprooted and changed forever. The Statement of Commitments adopted in Jeddah earlier in the week by the parties to the conflict in Sudan marks a moment of truth for the country,” Nkweta-Salami stated.

She emphasized the obligation to safeguard civilians and civilian infrastructure, calling for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to honor their pledged cooperation in ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access.

The Sudanese refugees’ desperate plea for peace underscores the dire humanitarian situation and the urgent need for an end to the conflict.