Ethiopian authorities at Bambasi Camp have released 15 Sudanese refugees from Blue Nile State after holding them for reportedly four months.

The authorities are said to have found them innocent. They were released on bail, according to a local source in Assosa County, Ethiopia.

“I was released yesterday along with another 14 people after four months in detention. When the Ethiopian authorities found no sufficient evidence, they decided to immediately release us from prison,” said one of the refugees who preferred not to be named.

The released Sudanese refugees confirmed that they are now reunited with their families in good condition in Bambasi refugee camp.

Residents of that camp came from Blue Nile State during confrontations between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N). 

File photo: Sudanese refugees from Blue Nile state cross into western Ethiopia through the Kurmuk border crossing (UNHCR/P.Rulashe)