Sudanese refugees emerge from forest after nearly 100 days

Around 2,500 Sudanese refugees residing in the Ethiopian forest in Olalla decided to leave their hideouts on Monday, August 7, and head for the refugee registration point on the Ethiopian-Sudanese border after spending 98 days in hiding.

The decision was communicated by a coordination committee, according to a statement seen by the local Sudanese daily (Radio Dabanga).

According to the committee, the refugees had a rough stay in the forest, with three individuals killed by gunfire and two children dying from malnutrition within two weeks.

The situation also saw 11 miscarriages and 23 injuries from gunfire. These challenges have resulted in a reduction of the refugee population from 6,080 to 2,411.

The coordination committee held all parties concerned with human rights and refugee protection fully responsible for any potential risks faced by the refugees.

It further asked the United Nations and the High Commissioner for Refugees to protect the refugees during their relocation journey.

Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Ethiopian authorities have been working to relocate the refugees to other areas, but some have declined, citing safety concerns in the proposed camps.

Around 3,000 refugees were moved to the Komer and Olala camps in the Iftet area, 35 kilometres from the border.

In April 2023, fighting between rival armed factions broke out in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war.

Since the power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into war in April 2023, thousands have fled to Ethiopia through the Matema and Kurmuk crossings.

Various organisations, including the UN, have warned of the crisis in Sudan, which has recorded deaths, displacement, rape cases, hunger and other humanitarian issues.