By Godfrey Olukya 5-6-2013
Over 1000 South Sudanese returnees from Khartoum have started arriving in Malakal, South Sudan since Monday.
They are part of the thousands of South Sudanese refugees living in camps in Sudan’s capital Khartoum who want to return home.
The returnees have lived in Sudan for over two decades where they fled during the fighting between SPLA and Sudan government troops in South Sudan. Later the two sides signed peace agreement which led South Sudan achieving independence two years ago.
A group of returnees left the Shajara camp in Khartoum on Saturday, facilitated by the South Sudan Embassy and the Ministry of
Humanitarian Affairs in Khartoum.
According to repatriation officer,Jacob Malek the returnees were transported on over 25 trucks and started arriving at the border
town of Renk on Sunday from where they proceeded to Malakal.
‘More returnees are expected in the next few days.’ said Malek.
There is an estimated 45,000 South Sudanese in Shajara camp awaiting repatriation, according to the International Organization for
Migration (IOM) and the South Sudan Embassy in Khartoum.
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