Africa watch

Abstract

The exodus began shortly before the historic January referendum on whether South Sudan would remain part of greater Sudan or become independent. Day after day, thousands of southern Sudanese living in the north started returning home. But with the election producing an overwhelming vote in favour of independence, the stream of humanity flowing south has become a flood. By mid-February, the Office of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that some 200,000 southerners had returned from the north. At the same time, in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, around 75,000 others had registered to go back. Relief agencies anticipate that as many as 800,000 southerners will return from the north this year. Many of those heading back have been away for decades, a spokesperson for UNHCR said. Others were born and raised in the north and are going to locations that will be entirely new to them, he further remarked. For many southerners concerns about their citizenship status in the north are said to be a major motivation. But many also want to be part of the birth of their new country, set to take place officially in July this year. UNHCR says it needs $53.4 mn to support southerners moving back.