Sudan, a country in Northern Africa that borders Egypt, is dealing with a serious refugee
situation. Internal conflicts have caused citizens of Sudan to leave the country in search of a
suitable home. Africa’s longest-running civil war which ended in 2005, leaving over 2 million
dead, and a lack of economic opportunities (per capita income only $2,700 in 2011) have led to
this serious problem. Continued conflict in the Darfur region has left many people homeless and
desperate. The International Criminal Court has charged Sudan’s President al-Bashir with
genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur. South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011,
causing more violence and bloodshed as border issues emerged between the two countries.
Many Sudanese refugees migrate to Egypt to escape the terrible situation in Sudan. In the
past, many Sudanese refugees entering Egypt were denied refugee status. Without refugee status,
refugees have no access to health care, trial by jury, employment, and education for their
children. Sudanese refugees also face racism, violence, and discrimination from the lighter
skinned Arabs of Egypt. We hope that the new government in Egypt under Mohammed Morsi
can find a long lasting sustainable solution to these problems. Libya sympathizes with Egypt
because like Egypt, Libya is in the process of rebuilding itself after a devastating civil war.
Even more significantly, thousands of Sudanese refugees are crossing over the Egyptian
border into Israel every month. They come to Israel for employment, which is not currently
offered to them in Egypt. Shocking reports, however, find that Israel hasn’t been granting
refugee status to almost any of the thousands of Sudanese refugees. Libya calls on Israel to grant
citizenship or at least temporary refugee status to all the Sudanese entering Israel. Israel is a lot
more fortunate than Sudan or Egypt with a much stronger economy. Therefore they are obligated
to accept the less fortunate Sudanese refugees.
If Israel turns the Sudanese refugees away, it would be considered responsible for their
deaths. Israel has the resources for and should be obligated to welcome in the less fortunate
Sudanese refugees. Both Israel and Egypt should offer economic opportunities to the Sudanese
refugees suitable to their abilities.
Sources:
Derfner, Larry. “When Africa comes to Israel.” Jewish Journal.com. Jan. 5, 2011. Online.
http://www.jewishjournal.com/cover_story/article/when_africa_comes_to_israel_201101
05/
IOM International Organization for Migration. Migration in Sudan: A Country Profile 2011. Online.
http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/free/mp_sudan.pdf
Weiler-Polak, Dana. “Advocacy group: Refugee screening designed to reject all applicants.” Haaretz.
Dec. 20, 2012. Online. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/advocacy-group-refugee-
screening-designed-to-reject-all-applicants-1.423875
Williams, Daniel. “Egypt is Uneasy Stop for Sudanese Refugees.” Washington Past. Feb. 27, 2006. Online.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2006/02/26/AR2006022601309.html