The Government of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, in partnership with the Fertit Unity Forum for Unity, has received the first batch of 57 South Sudanese returnees arriving from Sudan. The returnees, including women, children, and elderly people, were welcomed at a reception ceremony. State Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Hon. Rudolf Andrea Ujika, led the reception, accompanied by the Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), Barsham Musa. The event was attended by various government officials, community leaders, and representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The returnees are part of an ongoing initiative to support South Sudanese citizens returning home and help them reintegrate into their communities. According to Deputy Chairperson of the Fertit Forum for Unity and Chairperson of the Returnees Initiative Committee, David Lawrence Ambros, the initiative aims to facilitate the return and reintegration of approximately 600 South Sudanese returnees from Sudan to Wau. The initiative also seeks to reunite families and provide support to returnees as they resettle in their home communities.
The Fertit Unity Forum for Unity has announced that its support centre remains open to provide returnees with assistance, guidance, and information concerning the ongoing return process. The centre will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth reintegration of returnees into their communities. The arrival of the first 57 returnees marks an important step in efforts to support South Sudanese returning from Sudan and ensure they are received and reintegrated into their communities.
The reception ceremony was attended by various stakeholders, including the Chairperson of the Civil Society Organizations Network and CEPO Regional Coordinator, Stephen Robo Musa, and committee members. The government officials and community leaders present at the ceremony expressed their commitment to supporting the returnees and ensuring their successful reintegration.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was also represented at the reception ceremony, highlighting the organization's role in supporting the repatriation process. The IOM has been working closely with the government and other stakeholders to ensure the safe and dignified return of South Sudanese citizens from Sudan.
The returnees, who arrived in Wau on September 14, 2026, were received with essential assistance and support. The government and its partners are working to ensure that the returnees receive the necessary support to enable them to rebuild their lives in their home communities. The successful reintegration of the returnees is expected to contribute to the overall stability and development of Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
The ongoing repatriation initiative is a significant effort to address the issue of South Sudanese citizens returning from Sudan. With the support of various stakeholders, including the government, the Fertit Unity Forum for Unity, and the IOM, the initiative is expected to make a positive impact on the lives of the returnees and their communities.
Key points
- The first batch of 57 South Sudanese returnees from Sudan arrives in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, as part of an ongoing repatriation initiative.
- The initiative aims to facilitate the return and reintegration of approximately 600 South Sudanese returnees from Sudan to Wau.
- The Fertit Unity Forum for Unity has announced that its support centre remains open to provide returnees with assistance, guidance, and information concerning the ongoing return process.
