Author(s)

Abstract

In December 2024, at least 40,1801 South Sudanese arrived in South Sudan, as recorded by border monitoring enumerators deployed at various points notably Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, DRC and CAR. The highest number of these arrived from Sudan (28,895), followed by Ethiopia (8,386) and Uganda (1,883). UNHCR estimates that out of 40,180 arrivals, the number of returnees were 33,078 (82%) of the arrivals while the remaining were pendular 7,102 (18%) and 17 individuals were transiting South Sudan through other countries for instance Uganda and Kenya. Analysis of the reasons for return reported by South Sudanese interviewed at the border crossing points indicates that food security particularly reduction in the ration is the most cited reason of travelling (28%). Insecurity (26%) followed closely while permanent return to country of origin from displacement (25%) and lack of employment and livelihood opportunities in the country of asylum were also widely cited. Reasons of return differ by country of asylum indicating contrast in the contextual issues. For instance, in Sudan, insecurity is the predominant reason of South Sudanese travelling to South Sudan as cited by 89% of respondents. In Ethiopia, short visit for family reasons, reunification with family members for permanent return and food security (reduction in food ratio) were the key pushing factors.