Sudanese refugees from Blue Nile State, who are currently living in refugee camps in Ethiopia, have rejected the voluntary repatriation despite the call by the Blue Nile state government for refugees to ensure their safe return back home.

Blue Nile State government had sent a delegation headed by Paramount Chief Al-Fateh Yusuf Adlan to Ethiopia to convince the refugees to voluntarily go back to Sudan.

Mohammed Fadel-Mula, a refugee at Tango refugee camp in Ethiopia accused the state government of trying to force them to go back before a proper resolution of the conflict.

“Since 7 May, a militia delegation of the government comprised of some traditional leaders, arrived in some camps and they are trying to influence local leaders who have their relatives in the frontline area to come and join the government. They are also trying to convince some refugees to go back to Sudan,” said Fadel-Mula.

Radio Tamazuj could not get a comment from Blue Nile State officials.