Students on government scholarship in Egypt say they have been given option to return to south Sudan until the government avails money for their bursaries.

Early this week, they marched to the embassy in Cairo demanding nearly one-year unpaid allowances.

There are about 160 university students on government scholarship in Egypt. Each receives $100 dollars per month as pocket money.

Kuot Maker is a student representative. He told Eye Radio that they will continue striking until their demands are met.

“They have stated very clearly that they will not be in position to provide us with the funds right away from now,” Mr Maker said. So, those students who are comfortable with the conditions can wait until they get funded when the funds are available.

“Those students who cannot wait have to be deported immediately; they have to register their names and they will get the tickets so that they can go back to South Sudan.”

Yesterday, some of the scholars described their ordeals to Eye Radio.

“We are simply here because we need our bursaries and not only because of money but we don’t have anywhere else to stay because the administrations of various universities have asked us to leave the hostels,” said Julius Zendia.

“During holidays, there is no accommodation in hostels until the new academic year, which will be in September this year.”

For her part Elizabeth said: Some of the students are not able to get money from their parents because of the economy in the nation.”

“They expect to get their money and the embassy did not provide it for so long. That’s why we are here,” she added.