Ms. Tenziir Mohamed, one of many Sudanese refugees currently living at the Malakal Transit Site in Upper Nile State, appeals for an end to the war in her homeland. Credit: Jennifer James

MALAKAL, Upper Nile (Eye Radio) — Sudanese refugees at the Malakal Transit Site in Upper Nile State are appealing to warring parties to ‘silence the guns’ so they can safely return home.

Speaking to Eye Radio, December 2025, the refugees described the grueling reality of life in displacement, characterized by severe shortages of food, healthcare, and education.

Since fighting broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), thousands have fled into South Sudan, many crossing through Upper Nile in search of safety.

For many, the desire to return to Sudan is high, but the fear of targeted violence remains a significant barrier. Tenziir Mohamed, a refugee at the site, emphasized that civilians are the primary victims of the power struggle.

“My message to the leaders is that the only people who have suffered from this war are civilians,” Tenziir said. “We love our country and we long to return, but returning is impossible without peace because we have become targets. If a woman is perceived to be connected to one side or the other, she is shown no mercy. We are living in suffering.”

Aladdin Mohamed, another refugee at the center, praised the reception in Malakal but called directly on General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo to end the hostilities.

“A message to our leaders Burhan and Hemedti: please stop this conflict. People are tired, and enough is enough with the war,” Aladdin stated, noting that infrastructure in their home cities has been destroyed, leaving them with nothing to return to.

While the transit site provides a temporary haven, some refugees raised concerns over the distribution of humanitarian aid. Selim Basha, who has been displaced since 2023, highlighted the specific struggles faced by single men in the camps.

“Aid is mainly for women and children. Sometimes a single male refugee arrives and receives no support at all,” Basha explained. “Where is a man supposed to get aid? Where will he eat? These conditions create serious problems, including theft and assaults. A refugee is a refugee, whether alone or with a family.”

Basha added that even basic survival activities, such as collecting firewood or grass in nearby forests, have become dangerous due to harassment and security risks. As the conflict in Sudan enters its third year, humanitarian agencies continue to struggle with the influx of arrivals.

The refugees in Malakal are now calling on the international community and regional leaders to intensify pressure on the warring factions to reach a meaningful peace agreement.