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SHEGERAB (Sudan) - They are young, intelligent and have all the life in front of them, but thousands are fleeing the military regime in Eritrea to seek refuge in eastern Sudan, the first stage of their great illegal migration to Europe, Israel or ... Khartoum.
- Eritrean refugees flock for 40 years in eastern Sudan, a poor region burned by the sun, and on which rise the majestic mountains Taka.
In recent years a new wave of refugees has made its appearance in this region: "jedidine" (the "newcomers" in Arabic). Young Eritreans educated, but also Ethiopians or Somalis, who make of eastern Sudan their launching pad to a new life.
"I was a student, but the government wanted to force me to join the army. I did not want it, I wanted to study" blows Mokhtar, 23, bright eyes and stylish eyewear.
In Eritrea, a military service of at least 18 months is imposed on men and women who can then be indefinitely conscripted, a draconian policy that drives some young people to flee the country.
"I hid for nearly five years, but there is no work, no freedom, so I decided to come here," said Mokhtar, who now lives in the refugee camp of Shegerab, mini Eritrean town.
400 to 500 Eritreans arrive each week in this enclave in a particular atmosphere with its taverns and "CinemaRoma" - plastic chairs placed in front of a television which spits enticing video clips under a large tent.
"There are two groups of refugees in eastern Sudan. The former have been here for 30-40 years. They are Muslims, speak Arabic and have family ties with the Sudanese tribes," says Mohamed Dualeh, head of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kassala main State of eastern Sudan where the settle refugees.
"The new refugees are completely different. They speak Tigrinya, come from the heights of the capital Asmara, and are mainly Christians," he says.
"Some 19,000 of them were registered in 2008 and 23,000 last year, but today they are more than 7,000 in the camps. Do not ask me where they went," said Dualeh. "The Eastern Sudan has become a major transitional route for Europe. The refugees pass through Egypt or Libya," he says.
In this region, "they pay about 650 Sudanese pounds (270 USD) to smugglers to reach Khartoum or 3,000 Sudanese pounds (1250 USD) to go to Israel," said a Sudanese official under cover of anonymity. - If young Eritreans seek exile to Israel, Europe, or remake their lives in Khartoum, others languish in camps with the hope of obtaining refugee status in Canada or Australia.
- Ennaharonline/ M. O.
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