Khartoum Implements the Biggest Campaign in its history to deport Foreigners

For many years, the heavy foreign presence in the various cities of Sudan has been a concern for governments and citizens, not because the foreign presence is not welcome in Sudan, but because the foreign presence in the country, at a rate of up to (80%), is illegal and unregulated and does not even have papers proving that it belongs to any country, whatever it may be.

They are in the millions, contrary to official statistics that speak of a few thousand. It seems that they are only those who entered the country with visas and have residencies.

Their number does not exceed (5%) of the total foreigners in Sudan, who have spread everywhere and even occupied entire neighborhoods in some cities, most notably Khartoum, and formed gangs of looting and robbery under the eyes of the authorities and citizens.

When the war broke out, these people mostly appeared as fighters in the ranks of the Rapid Support RSF Militia and as sources of information, particularly since most of them work in marginal professions that are popular among citizens, such as (tea  female sellers l), (small shops ), and (Rickshaws ), which are widespread in the country. Some of them even trade in drugs and oil, and some of them have turned into major traders who have (bars) and a house for selling alcohol throughout the capital.

The authorities arrested a significant number of militia infiltrators hiding in these houses in areas controlled by the SAF , and they also arrested large numbers of snipers belonging to one of the neighboring countries. It turned out that thousands of fighters fought in the ranks of the militia, who were foreigners who had lived in the country for years.

Now Khartoum state has announced that it is about to take the step that was delayed and deport foreigners from the city after it became clear that their presence was dangerous and gave them (15) days to arrange their situation and leave, which did not happen, as most of them did not listen to what was issued by the Director of the Department of Foreigners and Immigration Control in Khartoum state, Police Col. Nizar Khalil, who gave them a deadline to leave. He said that the state is currently facing the option of forced deportation, which will face major problems, including that most of these people enjoy some protection from some parties and most of them know the roads of Khartoum and its safe havens, which raises questions about the force that will implement the decision, particularly since the deadline for voluntary departure has ended and where they will be deported to and what is the legal mechanism for deportation and other questions posed to observers who are aware of the difficulties facing such a procedure despite its importance.

These are questions whose answers are with the official authorities represented by the Director of the Department of Foreigners and Immigration Control in Khartoum state, Police Col.Nizar Khalil, who confirmed to (Sudan Events) that they are now ready to start work after the deadline ends. He added, “We have formed joint forces from the Passports Police and Affairs Foreigners, Khartoum State Police, Security, Intelligence, Military Police to implement the decision, and these joint units are now ready after they have been provided with good capabilities that will enable them to perform their work,” he continued, “A court specialized in foreign affairs has been established, headed by the first-degree judge Ajib Al-Tayeb Babiker in the Revolutionary Court, District 10, and I assure you that the deportation decision will not be made through the apparatuses, but through the judicial authorities, meaning that those who are arrested will not be deported immediately, but will be presented to the judge.” He added, “Most of these people infiltrated Khartoum from refugee camps.” Regarding the information available to them, he said that these cars belonging to the joint unit will tour the neighborhoods and arrest foreigners who do not have a valid residence permit or are not from the Naivasha refugee camp, which is a camp in Khartoum, and we now have good information because the neighborhood committees have counted the foreigners present in these neighborhoods, and we have a count conducted by the local authorities of the foreigners present in shops and markets. Return to the camps

Regarding the deportation mechanisms, he said, “We will arrest them and return them to their camps, with the exception of the urban refugees, who are the refugees of Naivasha camp, as I told you.” He added, “The Ethiopians and Eritreans will be deported to their camps on the border, and there are camps there. As for those who infiltrated from neighboring countries, they will be deported to their countries.”

He affirmed that those who will remain are either refugees from Naivasha camp, who are known, or those who have valid papers and legal residency.

He continued, “The campaign will start from Jamsaka Square, known in Omdurman, Karari locality, and the governor of Khartoum, Ahmed Osman Hamza, will be at the head of the campaign, accompanied by the leaders of the state’s security services.” Control and expansion

The governor of Khartoum had spoken clearly about the deportation of foreigners, affirming that he would not allow any foreigner residing illegally in the state, and added, “There is no reason for the presence of a tea lady or a worker in a marginal jobs now unless he is a collaborator with the militia, so anyone who refuses to be deported, we will have another conversation with him.” He continued, “Large groups of foreigners residing in Khartoum state are now fighting with the militia, and the mortars that have fallen on us are operated by foreigners, and the snipers we have arrested are foreigners. There is no reason for them to stay here for what reason.”

He continued, “Anyone who has left Sudan knows that no country allows foreigners to reside in the country without valid papers and residency.” Khartoum is currently preparing to evacuate a large number of foreigners, perhaps exceeding the number of Sudanese in the state, as with the departure of millions of city residents, these foreigners remained in the city and took control of large parts of it, inhabiting empty houses and expanding in trade, selling alcohol and drugs, and smuggling food to areas where militia forces are present.