by Niema Alhessen
Wars and armed conflicts are no longer confined to distant zones – they now unfold rapidly in urban centres. Entire neighbourhoods become military targets as everyday living spaces are transformed into battlegrounds. In Khartoum, relentless shelling has reduced residential areas to rubble, with blame shifting between opposing forces. Beyond this visible destruction, Sudanese civilians face an existential crisis as the fabric of their daily lives unravels, forcing them to flee what was once home.
The war in Sudan has triggered the world’s largest internal displacement crisis, forcing approximately 11.3 million people to flee their homes within the country. Additionally, nearly 4 million Sudanese have made the painful decision to seek refuge in neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Chad. Yet, escaping the immediate dangers of war is only the beginning of a far more complex and arduous journey. In exile, the search for a sense of home becomes an ongoing process – one that not only reshapes the lives of the displaced but also leaves a lasting imprint on the communities they become part of.
Between the Memory of Home and Reality
Many displaced Sudanese now find themselves in a relentless search for stability in neighbouring countries. Some find themselves confined to overcrowded camps where basic needs are unmet and personal autonomy is nearly non-existent – a situation that displaced Sudanese describe as a ‘gradual death’. Even those who manage to relocate to urban areas often feel trapped, calling their new homes, ‘prisons’. These houses are not only far smaller than what they once had in Sudan, but they also lack the comfort and sense of security they once enjoyed in their former residences. This physical displacement is further exacerbated by the splitting of a deep, intrinsic connection to home – a bond built on identity, culture, history, and belonging . When people are uprooted from their familiar surroundings, this powerful bond is broken, leaving an emotional void that is difficult to fill.
At the heart of the challenges faced by displaced Sudanese in exile are legal and bureaucratic barriers that severely restrict their movement and dictate their ways of living. A recent the New York Times report highlights how Egypt’s rapidly tightening laws further limit options for newcomers fleeing armed conflicts. These policies are often leveraged to extract additional monetary support from international actors. With few options for residency or employment, Sudanese in Egypt frequently face discrimination and exploitation, which further impedes their integration into new communities and limits their access to essential urban services. These legal frameworks often exclude newcomers from state protections, leaving their fundamental rights at risk.
Recreating Home in Exile
In Cairo, Sudanese arrivals face significant challenges in meeting essential needs, such as opening bank accounts or securing decent employment. Yet, some early arrivals have banded together to form community-led initiatives, creating vital hubs that help newcomers find housing, access education, and recreate a semblance of home. Within these networks, people share their struggles, exchange advice, and provide much-needed psychosocial support.
A recent case study by Andariya provides a comprehensive understanding of the experience of displaced Sudanese living in transit capitals, particularly in Cairo and Kampala. In this study, Sudanese arrivals describe their experience as a delicate balancing act – navigating unfamiliar cities with a constant sense of caution, feeling like outsiders, and relying heavily on social networks to survive. In the early stages of resettlement, family and close friends become lifelines, helping the newly displaced explore housing options and secure informal employment. Strong social networks are crucial for navigating and integrating into new environments that can often feel unwelcoming or even hostile.
For many displaced Sudanese, the insistent pursuit of necessities leaves little room for nurturing the sentimental aspects of home. With survival – securing food, shelter, and safety – taking precedence, there is little room to focus on re-establishing the aesthetics and atmosphere of their former homes. Yet, recreating home in exile goes far beyond merely replicating familiar spaces; it’s about transforming these unfamiliar spaces into places filled with a sense of security, freedom and control.
Thoughts of Returning Home
The thought of returning home remains a constant presence in the minds of many Sudanese as they navigate the uncertainties of exile. For some, the longing to go back began even before they left – fuelled by deep nostalgia and the fear of being labelled a ‘refugee‘. The pull of cultural identity and familial bonds, combined with the discomfort of being seen as a foreigner, often drives voluntary return. For others, the harsh realities of displacement – struggling to find work, watching their savings dwindle, and facing daily hardships have made the idea of returning even more compelling. Reports of recent victories by the Sudanese Armed Forces in various parts of the country add to the temptation, sparking hope that home might soon be safe again.
Despite the uncertainties, Sudanese who fled the war of April 2023 continue to navigate the delicate balance between longing for home and adapting to life in exile. While recreating the physical and cultural essence of home is challenging, many have found new forms of belonging through social networks and community-led initiatives. Yet, for others, the decision to return is driven not necessarily by a calculated assessment of safety or stability but by deep emotional needs – the desire for familiarity, belonging, and legitimacy – essential elements that exile, despite its many opportunities, fails to offer.
This piece is part of a series that addresses the conflict as well as other subjects pertaining to Sudan, such as employment, forced displacement, gender, humanitarian needs, migration and political participation.
[To read more on this and everything Middle East, the LSE Middle East Centre Library is now open for browsing and borrowing for LSE students and staff. For more information, please visit the MEC Library page.]
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