The Return of Illegal Migration: Where Does Sudan Stand?

The issue of illegal migration within and across the African continent to Europe is resurfacing strongly, particularly in East Africa and specifically in Sudan. This comes in conjunction with the rise of far-right political parties in Europe, legislative victories, and political shifts, such as Trump’s election in the United States and support from figures like Elon Musk for right-wing parties in England and Germany. These parties oppose migration, especially from the Middle East and Africa.

Thus, the topic of migration, its effects, and strategies to curb it from source and transit countries like Sudan, has returned to the forefront with great urgency.

Sudan was one of the pivotal points Europe relied on to control and reduce migration, not just from East Africa but also from the South and West of the continent. Sudan became a “leverage” used by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the waning days of the Bashir regime to portray itself as the most effective barrier against illegal migration to Europe. However, as the RSF’s role has shifted, finding alternative solutions while waiting for the outcomes of Sudan’s current developments has become imperative.

Neighboring countries, facing the same concerns, continue to discuss this issue in conferences, most recently in Uganda, as detailed later in this report.

The RSF’s role in curbing migration previously garnered significant support from Europe for two primary reasons. First, its detailed knowledge of hidden routes across the Sahara and through Darfur. Second, its agility in bypassing bureaucratic structures. A less-discussed third reason is the RSF’s employment of extreme measures to prevent migrants from reaching southern Libya and subsequently crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.

Despite undeniable evidence of atrocities committed, European nations often overlook these issues, even as migrant boats overcrowded with people are left to sink in the Mediterranean due to negligence from European emergency services.

The political ramifications of migration were evident in the public spat between French President Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. When Macron criticized Italy’s handling of African migrants, Meloni rebuffed him, threatening to expose France’s own failures. This clash highlights the broader implications of illegal migration through Sudan to Europe.

Two critical conferences were held in Kampala, Uganda, addressing illegal migration and the development of policies to combat it at its roots.

1. September 16–18, 2024: A meeting of senior officials and civil society representatives endorsed continental guidelines for sharing intelligence to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Experts emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation and the use of technology in disrupting criminal networks.

2. December 19–20, 2024: This conference focused on integrating migration and health governance in Africa. Experts stressed the unique health challenges migrants face, such as limited access to care during their perilous journeys. The event called for policies to enhance public health systems in both transit and destination countries.

For decades, Sudan served as a transit hub for migrants heading to Europe from the South, East, and West of Africa. However, reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate that ongoing conflict and violence have turned Sudan into both a source of displacement and a transit point.

The IOM reported that violent clashes between Sudan’s army and the RSF in April 2023 displaced thousands, many of whom fled to neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Chad. Sudan also remains home to one of Africa’s largest refugee populations, hosting over 1 million refugees and asylum seekers from countries like South Sudan, Eritrea, Syria, and Ethiopia.

Migration routes often overlap with conflict zones, such as Sudan’s Darfur region, where clashes over land and resources have displaced millions. These conditions create fertile ground for violent extremist groups, which use migration routes for recruitment and mobilization.

Moreover, climate change exacerbates migration trends. Droughts, floods, and other climate-related disasters have destroyed livelihoods in East and Southern Africa, forcing millions to move. For example, the ongoing drought in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia—the worst in over 40 years—has displaced countless individuals.

Sudan’s role in illegal migration is evolving, moving from being a mere transit country to becoming a focal point for migration challenges exacerbated by internal conflict. Addressing these issues requires a stable government capable of managing migration flows, cooperating with international partners, and mitigating the root causes of displacement.

Efforts by the African Union, IGAD, and other regional organizations to establish protocols for freedom of movement, combat human trafficking, and address climate-induced displacement offer hope. However, without coordinated action and robust governance, the risks of illegal migration and its associated challenges will persist.