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Bentiu — Over 2,600 South Sudanese who were stranded in Sudanese town of Kosti arrived in Unity state this week almost two and a half years since South Sudan seceded from Sudan..
The returnees were originally from South Sudan's Warrap, Northern Bhar el-Ghazal and Western Bhar-el-Ghazal states.
After two days in a transit camp in Unity state's Rubkotna county the returness continued their onward journey on Saturday after the accessibility of the roads was confirmed International Organization for Migration.
Samuel Razik Daniel a community leader - known as a sultan - says he stayed in Khartoum for over 20 years before decided to return to South Sudan. Over four million people were displaced by the two-decade conflict between southern rebels and the Sudanese government.
He said that many South Sudanese were worried about taking the return journey because of insecurity, expressing hope that their successful trip will open the way for others.
"These people before they could hit the road, they were fearing and some of them afraid to come with us, and as they heard we have entered into South Sudan, we had a warm welcome from our citizens, police and army and I'm sure if they see us on the televisions, those who may be there they will begin collecting their properties and to come to South Sudan", said Daniel.
Some of the returnees said their lives in Khartoum became very hard after South Sudan broke away from Sudan.
Amelia Biba, 45, who lived in Sudan for a decade of years told Sudan Tribune that she was impressed that the governments of Sudan and South Sudan have been able to sign a deal to open their common borders.
"Because we have been open way to enter South Sudan, we were very much happy by the time we entered at the border. I have to congratulate the government of the Republic of Sudan for our time we stayed with them and to open for us way to reach here and I have to thanks the two governments for doing that", she added.
Biba says they were relieved to finally be in the the Republic of South Sudan.
Bentiu — Over 2,600 South Sudanese who were stranded in Sudanese town of Kosti arrived in Unity state this week almost two and a half years since South Sudan seceded from Sudan..
The returnees were originally from South Sudan's Warrap, Northern Bhar el-Ghazal and Western Bhar-el-Ghazal states.
After two days in a transit camp in Unity state's Rubkotna county the returness continued their onward journey on Saturday after the accessibility of the roads was confirmed International Organization for Migration.
Samuel Razik Daniel a community leader - known as a sultan - says he stayed in Khartoum for over 20 years before decided to return to South Sudan. Over four million people were displaced by the two-decade conflict between southern rebels and the Sudanese government.
He said that many South Sudanese were worried about taking the return journey because of insecurity, expressing hope that their successful trip will open the way for others.
"These people before they could hit the road, they were fearing and some of them afraid to come with us, and as they heard we have entered into South Sudan, we had a warm welcome from our citizens, police and army and I'm sure if they see us on the televisions, those who may be there they will begin collecting their properties and to come to South Sudan", said Daniel.
Some of the returnees said their lives in Khartoum became very hard after South Sudan broke away from Sudan.
Amelia Biba, 45, who lived in Sudan for a decade of years told Sudan Tribune that she was impressed that the governments of Sudan and South Sudan have been able to sign a deal to open their common borders.
"Because we have been open way to enter South Sudan, we were very much happy by the time we entered at the border. I have to congratulate the government of the Republic of Sudan for our time we stayed with them and to open for us way to reach here and I have to thanks the two governments for doing that", she added.
Biba says they were relieved to finally be in the the Republic of South Sudan.