Thousands of Sudanese refugees who escaped their country’s civil war say they are facing a new ordeal in Egypt, where reports of mass detentions and deportations have increased sharply.
A Reuters investigation details accounts from refugees who describe overcrowded detention centres, poor living conditions and growing fears of being forcibly returned to Sudan despite the ongoing conflict. Human rights groups say more than 5,500 Sudanese have been deported since late 2025.
Some former detainees alleged they experienced abuse, inadequate food supplies and extortion while in custody. Others said they chose to return voluntarily to war-torn Sudan rather than risk arrest or separation from family members.
Egyptian authorities reject claims of systemic mistreatment, insisting that deportations are carried out according to legal procedures and highlighting the country’s long-standing role in hosting refugees. However, aid agencies and rights groups have expressed concern that recent policy changes could weaken protections for asylum seekers.
With Sudan’s conflict showing little sign of ending, humanitarian organisations are urging regional governments to provide greater support for those fleeing the violence.
