The United Nations reported on July 25, 2025, that more than 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees have returned to their homes in Sudan following a fragile ceasefire between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), brokered by the African Union and Saudi Arabia in June 2025.
The returnees, primarily from Darfur, South Kordofan, and Khartoum, mark a significant shift after 18 months of conflict that displaced 8.2 million people since April 2023. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) attributed the movement to improved security in 12 of Sudan’s 18 states, with 600,000 returns recorded in July alone.
The ceasefire, while holding in most areas, remains tenuous, with sporadic clashes reported in El Geneina and Nyala. Returning families face dire conditions, with 70% of returnees lacking access to clean water and 40% reporting destroyed homes, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The UN estimates $1.2 billion is needed for humanitarian aid, with $300 million already disbursed. Critics, including local NGOs, warn that the return could strain resources, potentially reigniting tensions, especially in Darfur where ethnic violence persists. The narrative of hope is tempered by the UN’s acknowledgment that 6.9 million remain displaced, with the situation hinging on sustained peace and reconstruction funding.