Families fleeing war-torn Sudan report arbitrary arrests, overcrowded facilities, poor medical care and threats of deportation as they seek safety in neighbouring Egypt.
At a crowded transit point in Egypt, Sudanese families clutching overstuffed bags wait anxiously after escaping the brutal civil war in their homeland. Many describe not finding the refuge they hoped for, but instead facing detention, uncertainty and the constant fear of being sent back to active conflict zones.
Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers have recounted experiences of arbitrary detention in overcrowded police stations and makeshift facilities, where they face extortion, inadequate food and water, poor sanitation, and denial of medical care. Some have alleged physical abuse and degrading treatment during their time in custody.
Sudanese Refugees Report Harsh Conditions in Egypt:
Fatima (name changed for safety), a Sudanese mother who arrived with her children after fleeing violence in Khartoum, described being held with dozens of others in a cramped space with limited ventilation. “We slept in shifts because there was no room to lie down,” she told rights monitors. “Sick people received no medicine. We were treated like criminals, not people running from war.”
Reports from human rights groups and former detainees paint a picture of dire conditions in detention centres, including police stations in Cairo and other governorates. Refugees speak of beatings by fellow inmates or guards, scarce resources, and pressure to pay bribes for basic needs or release.
Egypt hosts more than 850,000 Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers registered with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), part of over one million total refugees in the country as of mid-2026. Many more remain unregistered, making them particularly vulnerable to security sweeps.
Since the escalation of Sudan’s conflict in April 2023, Egypt has seen waves of arrests targeting Sudanese nationals, often on grounds of irregular entry or residence violations. UN experts, Amnesty International, and local refugee platforms have documented mass detentions, including of women, children, and registered asylum seekers, followed by deportations without proper risk assessments-a practice known as refoulement, which is prohibited under international law.
In late 2025 and early 2026, rights organisations reported a sharp increase in operations involving plainclothes police conducting identity checks in neighbourhoods, workplaces, and public spaces. Detainees have reportedly been transferred to southern areas near the Sudanese border for deportation.
Egyptian authorities have previously defended their actions as necessary for border security and immigration control, rejecting broad criticism while stating they uphold refugee rights. However, access for UNHCR and independent monitors to detention facilities remains severely limited, complicating verification of individual cases.
Humanitarian crisis amid regional strain:
Sudan’s civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces has displaced millions and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with widespread atrocities, famine risks, and destruction of infrastructure. Egypt, sharing a long border with Sudan, initially welcomed many arrivals under historical ties, but economic pressures, security concerns, and a new asylum law passed in late 2024 have complicated the response.
Refugees also report everyday challenges including discrimination, difficulty accessing affordable housing, healthcare, and education, and rising xenophobia. Schools serving Sudanese children have faced closures, and many families struggle with informal work and exploitation.
International organisations continue to urge Egypt to uphold its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and ensure access to fair asylum procedures. Calls have grown for better protection, medical access, and an end to collective punishments that endanger lives already scarred by war.
As the situation in Sudan shows no signs of resolution, the plight of Sudanese families in Egypt highlights the fragile line between hospitality and hostility faced by millions displaced across borders. For many, the search for safety remains painfully unfinished.