Suleiman Abdel Rahmen Suleiman, the Commissioner of Humanitarian Aid in Sudan, says that refugees from South Sudan are welcome anywhere in the country.

During a visit to South Kordofan, he said they may either settle where they are or move elsewhere in the country with the facilitation of the government.

Accompanied by Adam Al Faki, governor of South Kordofan, the commissioner visited refugees in the two southern localities of Al Liri and Abu Jubeiha two days ago.

There are more than 4,000 refugees from Unity and Upper Nile States, mostly women and children, in Al Liri locality. Many arrived by foot after a journey that took more than eight days. They are in need of water, food and shelter.

According to Suleiman, the refugees will have the freedom to choose whether to stay there or go anywhere else in Sudan. He praised the role of the local community in Liri in hosting the refugees. 

For his part, the governor said the state is home to about 7,000 refugees from South Sudan in the two localities. He reiterated the government’s commitment to provide all necessary services to them and to facilitate the movement and transport operations.

He also issued directives for the local governments to take actions to ensure the southerners live in good conditions.

Abu Karshola returns 

Elsewhere in South Kordofan, it is reported that some of the thousands of people displaced from Abu Karshola have started to return.

Authorities in the states of North and South Kordofan embarked on efforts to move 3000 families who want to return to Rahad and Abu Karshola localities with the help of the Humanitarian Aid Commission and voluntary organizations.

The area came under attack last year by forces of the Sudan Revolutionary Front, causing the flight of thousands.

Photo: A South Sudanese family stand near a shelter in al-Ghanaa village in the Jableen locality in Sudan's White Nile State, 17 January 2014 (Reuters)