Visa-Free Access to Sudan, a Lifeline for Refugees, Now Revoked Amid Ongoing Conflict
For many Syrians, the journey to safety once led them to Sudan, the only country offering visa-free access to those fleeing the brutal civil war. Among them was Mahmoud al-Ahmad, who, after Syrian troops took control of his hometown, spent his savings and risked his life to escape, ultimately heading to Turkey. There, he secured a flight to Khartoum, where a former employer had promised him work at a carpet factory.
Until the end of 2020, Sudan stood as a critical refuge for Syrians. The country’s unique visa-free policy made it a haven for those desperate to escape the ongoing violence of the war, which recently marked its 10-year anniversary. But that sanctuary has now disappeared. In December, Sudan abruptly reversed its policy, closing its borders to Syrians and starting a review of all citizenships granted in the last two decades. This has left thousands of Syrians stranded, with many who had acquired Sudanese citizenship now uncertain about their future.
Once a symbol of hope for those escaping the devastation of Syria, Sudan’s recent decisions have left a deeply uncertain future for the refugees who had built lives there.
