Following allegations of “restrictions and deportations,” the Sudanese ambassador in Cairo clarifies

The Sudanese ambassador to Cairo, Emad El-Din Adawi, categorically denied recent reports that the Sudanese government had requested its Egyptian counterpart to restrict the movement of Sudanese citizens or forcibly deport them, describing these claims as “mere illusions and completely unfounded.”

During a press conference held at the embassy in Cairo on Friday, Adawi urged Sudanese nationals in Egypt to fully comply with the laws and regulations governing immigration and residency, emphasizing that every country has the sovereign right to regulate the presence of foreigners on its territory.

He also clarified that the security and regulatory measures currently being implemented in Egypt target all nationalities and are not specifically aimed at the Sudanese community.

He also revealed accurate statistics reflecting the discipline of the Sudanese community, noting that the number of Sudanese in Egypt is approximately 6 million, while the number of Sudanese imprisoned in Egyptian jails does not exceed 400, a very small number that confirms the Sudanese community’s respect for Egyptian laws.

Regarding those detained for residency violations, Adawi confirmed that the embassy, ​​in coordination with the Egyptian authorities, successfully secured the release of a large number of them after they paid their outstanding fines, paving the way for their return home.

In a gesture reflecting the special nature of the relationship, he announced that the Egyptian Minister of Labor had issued directives to grant work permits to Sudanese nationals with reduced fees, in recognition of their current circumstances following the war.

The ambassador also praised the Egyptian leadership’s role in supporting the Sudanese community, emphasizing that “Egyptian national security is inextricably linked to Sudanese national security.”

He concluded by clarifying that the embassy’s role in the return process is limited to coordinating “voluntary return” initiatives for those wishing to do so, categorically denying any coordination of forced deportations. He emphasized that communication with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ongoing to resolve all obstacles facing the Sudanese community with flexibility and full appreciation for the exceptional circumstances Sudan is experiencing.

It is worth noting that since the outbreak of war in Sudan in mid-April 2023, Egypt has received hundreds of thousands of Sudanese fleeing the conflict, joining the millions of Sudanese residents already present before the crisis.