South Sudan refugees in Sudan are labeled as rebels, say immigrants
South Sudan refugees in Sudan are considered as rebels according to the government of South Sudan, said the refugees.
About 2000 South Sudanese refugees are in the camp since July, 2012 without any attention from the government of Sudan as well as the United Nations Agencies.
It is only the local population of Sudan that are feeding and clothing them during the various fire outbreak incidences that occurred in the camp.
Speaking to Catholic Radio Network or CRN in Khartoum, a refugee, Costa Raphael regrets how they are regarded by South Sudan authorities as rebels yet they are seeking for safety of their lives.
He stresses that the government of South Sudan should listen to their outcry because many of them are expecting the two principals in the revitalised peace accord to reconcile for peace.
“We don’t want power or politics or anything, we just want to be back home to cultivate”, he explains.
Chiefs’ representative in the camp, Raphael Justin Zangabai, dismays how South Sudanese women are taking care of the family by working tirelessly to provide bread.
“We are not considered men anymore because men are jobless and their pregnant wives and children are not getting the basic needs of life from them”, he noted.
A mother of four, Christina Elia complains that there is no effort or support from South Sudan government.
She adds the UN Humanitarian Commission for Refugees brought items to them only once and never returned again.
Christina says they experienced a lot of challenges, their shelters were destroyed by fire three times and flood causing many diseases to their children.
Youth representative, Elia Darious says many South Sudanese in the camp are willing to return home and serve the country but the news they hear on insecurity make them doubt about the country’s stability.
Meanwhile Parliamentary Liaison Coordinator of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference Isaac Kenyi says Sudan’s ousted President Omar Bashir made the decision of South Sudanese refugees’ status as brothers returning home.
He adds the government should accept them as refugees to allow the international community to help them under the UNHCR charter, but now it is difficult.
Many of the refugees are concerned about the implementation of the 100-day extension to pave way for their return home.
Source: www.catholicradionetwork.org
