Sudanese authorities in Al-Jazirah state announced the deportation of 3,000 South Sudanese nationals, transferring them to the Joda border crossing in White Nile state. The move comes amid strained relations between Sudan and South Sudan after allegations surfaced that the Sudanese army had killed South Sudanese citizens in Wad Madani following the military’s recapture of the city on January 12.
The reported killings triggered retaliatory attacks against Sudanese citizens and their properties in South Sudan, leading to mass displacement. Some Sudanese nationals fled to Darfur via the Al-Ruqaibat crossing, while others sought refuge in Uganda, according to humanitarian organizations and Sudanese officials.
Fath al-Rahman Mohamed Ahmad, Al-Jazirah’s acting Minister of Welfare and Social Development, confirmed that the deportations took place in three separate operations. He stated that the group included women, children, the elderly, and young individuals, who were transported to the Joda crossing.
Sudan is home to approximately 613,000 South Sudanese migrants, with most—around 411,000—residing in White Nile state, while others are dispersed across different regions, including 5,500 in Al-Jazirah, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR). As of January 31, UNHCR reported that Sudan hosted a total of 837,000 migrants, with 266,000 relocating to safer areas since conflict erupted on April 15.
Ahmad pledged that authorities would continue removing all individuals residing in Al-Jazirah without proper documentation. The Sudanese government has accused some migrants, particularly South Sudanese, of aligning with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and participating in looting and other abuses against civilians. However, the RSF has denied these allegations.
Authorities have begun registering migrants in army-controlled areas of Khartoum state and have started deportations following discussions with the UNHCR, according to state media.