UN cautions govts against returning fleeing citizens to Sudan

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By Wale Odunsi

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has advised governments to allow civilians fleeing Sudan into their territory and not to send them back.

Elizabeth Tan, UNHCR’s Director of International Protection, addressed reporters on Friday at a briefing in Geneva, Switzerland.

“We’re advising governments not to return people to Sudan because of the conflict that’s going on there,” the official said.

Tan appealed to governments to allow Sudanese and foreign nationals, including refugees, stateless persons, and those without a passport or any other form of identification.

Tan, however, noted that there was no indication that civilians from Sudan were not being allowed to enter neighbouring countries.

DAILY POST recalls the Nigerian government, last Friday, complained about a build-up of people at the border with Egypt.

Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) appealed to authorities to “allow the traumatised travellers to transit to their final destinations”.

The conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has forced about 100,000 people to flee to neighbouring countries, according to the UN.

The failure to reach a lasting truce has affected aid deliveries to about one-third of people who now rely on humanitarian assistance.

On Thursday, Sudan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Muhammad Yusuf, asked Nigerian evacuees to return to his country after the war.

 

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