Voluntary Return… Sudanese Bid Farewell to the Land of Kinanah
Cairo — Sabah — Nazik
Gazes tinged with joy, sorrow, and fear shone from the eyes of hundreds of Sudanese who decided this morning to leave the Arab Republic of Egypt for Sudan. Each feeling had its own cause: joy at returning to their homeland and homes after an absence of more than two years—years spent seeking refuge in sisterly Egypt following a brutal war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces militia; sadness at leaving the “Land of Kinanah,” which received and treated them as brothers; and fear about Sudan’s future in some areas where services are still lacking. These mixed emotions made for a solemn scene at Cairo’s Ramses Train Station as it bade farewell to the second train in a series operated by the Defense Industries System, under the auspices of the Egyptian government and the Embassy of Sudan in Egypt.
From early hours, Sudanese flocked to the station carrying their belongings, awaiting departure. Elderly people, youth, and children alike chose to return home voluntarily and resettle there after the victories achieved by the Armed Forces in the states of Khartoum and Al-Jazirah and the relative improvement in services. In line with its social responsibility, the Defense Industries System picked up the baton—upgrading its trips from buses to trains to ease the journey, especially for the elderly and children, and covering the costs.
There was diplomatic and political attendance from both the Sudanese and Egyptian sides to see off the second trip of the Voluntary Return Project. Among those present were Sudan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Lt. Gen. Imad al-Din Adawi; Egypt’s former Ambassador to Sudan, Hossam Issa; leaders of the Defense Industries System; Egyptian actor Mohamed Reyad; and the captain of Sudan’s Al-Hilal football club, Haitham Mustafa, in addition to Egyptian and Sudanese media outlets.
Sudan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Lt. Gen. Imad Adawi, affirmed the Voluntary Return initiative, which is borne by the Defense Industries System and sponsored by the Sudanese Embassy in Cairo, under the directives of Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Lt. Gen. Kamel al-Wazir. He explained the guidance to remove all obstacles facing Sudanese returning to their homeland and to facilitate every means that ensures their safe return and the country’s reconstruction.
Adawi praised Egypt for what it has offered to the people of Sudan and for supporting them in their war against the Rapid Support Forces militia. He stated that the return aims at rebuilding Sudan with the help of Egypt’s brethren. He lauded the initiatives of the Defense Industries System, describing it as a major Sudanese institution with many social projects aimed at easing the burdens on the Sudanese people, and expressed deep thanks to the Egyptian-Sudanese Company, which also plays a significant role in this initiative.
For his part, Egypt’s former Ambassador to Sudan and representative of the Egyptian side, Hossam Issa, said that the reciprocal presidential visits between the two countries’ leaderships have greatly enhanced the confidence of Sudanese to return to densely populated areas, particularly in the states of Khartoum, Al-Jazirah, and Sennar. He noted that the victories of the Armed Forces in these areas would be the starting point for further successes that will work toward achieving stability across Sudan, in continuation of resuming the transitional process.
The head of the Voluntary Return Project and Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at the Defense Industries System, Umayma Abdullah Saleh, affirmed that the System will continue transporting Sudanese who wish to return through open-ended trips until the numbers are exhausted. She explained that more than one million Sudanese sought refuge in Egypt after the war, and noted that the System has run 187 bus trips. She expects the trains to be more comfortable and enjoyable for citizens—especially the elderly and children—pointing out that rail travel holds a special place in memory. Umayma also praised the efforts of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for supporting the Sudanese people and assisting them in returning home.
Dr. Munjid Ibrahim, Director of Development at the Egyptian-Sudanese Company, said Egypt is committed to standing by the Sudanese community in both joy and sorrow, removing all obstacles they face. He pointed to their cooperation with the Defense Industries System to operate the train trips, noting that the System stands behind the Sudanese people and the Sudanese community in Egypt. Munjid confirmed that these trips will continue weekly as long as there is a desire among Sudanese to return.
Egyptian actor Mohamed Reyad expressed his hope that peace and stability will prevail in Sudan, stressing that he loves Sudan and its people and considers Sudan his second home. He revealed that he had visited Sudan in recent years, saying, “I wish all the best for the Sudanese people and a safe return to their homes and homeland.”
Quoted from Al-Mohaqqiq website.
