The term ‘refugee’ is heard and seen in the news every day.
Wars rage on and political turmoil upset lives to the extent that millions seek refuge elsewhere. However, as more and more people feel forced to flee their homeland, the refugee issue is of great concern for host countries such as the US, Australia and New Zealand to the extent that they and others think twice about admitting those fleeing armed conflict and/or economic ruin. In many cases, hopes of starting a new life away from instability of any kind are all too often dashed and millions of refugees languish in makeshift and often insanitary camps.
By stark contrast, Egypt welcomes with open arms anyone from its neighbours in their quest for safety and stability.
Refugees in Egypt are far from demonised as they are in UK or Germany. They are treated on equal terms with Egyptians with regard to the services they are offered.
Our government respects refugees’ human rights of refugees regardless of nationality or the reasons why they are here. The UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM) praised Egypt for taking in a large number of refugees and providing their basic needs. According to IOM estimate, Egypt is now home to 9 million refugees from 133 countries — 8.7 per cent of the world’s population.
The conflict between Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which broke out on April 15 has already left hundreds dead, thousands injured and tens of thousands homeless. Many Sudanese escaping the conflict have fled to neighbouring states including Egypt.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi voiced his appreciation of Egypt for hosting 150,000 displaced Sudanese nationals to date, in addition to the 5 million other Sudanese who have resided in our country for a number of years.
Despite the economic hardships resulting from the war in Ukraine, Egyptians have opened up their homes to their Sudanese brothers. However, resolving the Sudan crisis has become a goal of the political leadership as President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said in his speech to last week’s meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC), which brought together heads of state and government to discuss ways of restoring peace in Sudan. His remarks were like a roadmap to help refugees. He said Egypt is rallying efforts with the African Union, the Arab League and brotherly countries to end the conflict in Sudan with a full ceasefire and preservation of state institutions.
The President also affirmed Cairo’s respect for the will of the Sudanese people in their internal affairs, stressing the need to prevent foreign interference in Sudan’s affairs.
We hope that our work with international organisations and our neighbours will end the plight of refugees by bringing security and stability to their homeland. Egypt is capable of doing so through its foreign diplomacy based on respect, neutrality and non-intervention.
Mohamed Fahmy is the editor-in-chief of The Egyptian Gazette and Egyptian Mail newspapers
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