Sudanese Refugees in Ethiopia: Ongoing Violations

Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, more than 1.6 million Sudanese refugees have fled their homeland. Among them, approximately 31,000 have sought refuge in Ethiopia, with many heading directly to Addis Ababa in hopes of securing visas to Middle Eastern countries. However, prolonged waiting times, often stretching for months, have left them feeling trapped in a foreign city where they struggle with language barriers and financial constraints.

Fear and Legal Challenges

A Sudanese refugee woman, who requested anonymity, shared her fears of leaving her residence in Addis Ababa due to the risk of arrest for not renewing her visa. Many Sudanese refugees living in Ethiopian cities face financial hardships due to the high visa renewal fees imposed by the Ethiopian government, often exceeding their financial capabilities. Some have even been detained for failing to pay monthly fees and accumulated fines.

Previously, Ethiopia granted visa exemptions to Sudanese refugees who opted to reside in urban areas rather than designated refugee camps. However, these exemptions were discontinued in October 2024, forcing thousands of urban refugees to pay $100 per month for visa renewals, with additional penalties of $10 per day for overdue payments.

Arbitrary Arrests and Economic Hardships

One refugee, who has been unable to afford visa fees since arriving in Ethiopia in July, reported frequent police crackdowns on Sudanese refugees unable to meet the financial requirements. A Sudanese teacher, now dependent on financial support from her son in France, expressed her distress, stating that she avoids going outside to evade arrest.

Ethiopia, home to over a million refugees, has historically been praised for its openness to displaced populations. However, reports indicate that the country enforces restrictive policies that exacerbate the struggles of Sudanese refugees. Those who fail to register as official refugees face the risk of deportation, lack access to healthcare and education, and are vulnerable to exploitation.

Dire Conditions in Refugee Camps

Sudanese refugees residing in Ethiopian camps, particularly in the Amhara region, endure harsh living conditions. Reports of attacks, kidnappings, and sexual violence by local militias have forced some camps to shut down. Urban refugees, estimated at around 15,000, lack legal protections and struggle to secure basic services.

According to Tariq Argaz, a spokesperson for the UNHCR in Ethiopia, Sudanese nationals who do not register as refugees face the threat of detention and lack essential services, making them susceptible to abuse and extortion.

A Struggle for Survival

Sudanese asylum seekers are required to register upon arrival in border towns like Metema and Assosa before being placed in UN-managed camps. Those wishing to live outside the camps must obtain a permit from Ethiopia’s Refugee and Returnee Service, a process complicated by stringent requirements, including securing a local sponsor or proving financial self-sufficiency.

Many urban refugees are unable to obtain residency permits, forcing them into a cycle of perpetual visa renewals they cannot afford. A 25-year-old homeless Sudanese refugee in Addis Ababa shared his daily struggle for survival, expressing fear of encounters with Ethiopian security forces.

A Sudanese single mother who crossed into Ethiopia with her four children in June 2023 voiced similar concerns. Unable to pay visa fees, she prioritizes feeding her family through informal jobs such as henna artistry and selling tea at a Sudanese-Ethiopian-owned restaurant.

Trapped in Financial and Legal Limbo

A Sudanese mathematics professor, unable to afford relocation, described his entrapment in Addis Ababa due to mounting debts owed to the Ethiopian government. Many Sudanese refugees in the city face extreme financial distress, with some young men resorting to crime out of desperation.

Hassan Tawakkul, a Sudanese academic who raises funds to bail out detained refugees, confirmed that Sudanese nationals are frequently arrested for failing to renew their visas. He provided a list of 12 Sudanese detainees currently held in Ethiopian prisons since February 2025.

A diplomatic source in Addis Ababa revealed that Sudanese embassy officials had requested an extension of the previous visa exemption for Sudanese refugees. While Ethiopian authorities had promised to grant the request, it remains unclear whether any action has been taken due to political tensions between Ethiopia and Sudan.

Fear of Return Amid Uncertainty

Despite the difficulties they face in Ethiopia, Sudanese refugees are reluctant to return home, even as the Sudanese army gains ground against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A Sudanese woman living in Addis Ababa with her daughter explained that returning was not an option, as her home in Khartoum had been destroyed and rents in government-controlled cities remained exorbitant.

A young Sudanese refugee living on the streets expressed similar fears, stating that his family in Sudan is internally displaced and struggling under dire conditions. “My father lost his job as a teacher because schools are closed. There is no work, no services, no electricity. As a young man, returning to Sudan would be too dangerous—I might be forced to take up arms,” he said.

Conclusion

The plight of Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia remains dire, with many facing detention, financial exploitation, and uncertainty about their future. As diplomatic efforts falter, thousands of displaced Sudanese remain in legal and economic limbo, struggling to survive in a country that once offered them sanctuary but now imposes heavy restrictions on their presence.