A Crisis Normalised

36
some traders with goods from both countries as well, as long as the ways leading to it are passable. 185 This
means that there is some movement – even if extremely limited and not significant enough to ensure markets
remain functional during the peak of the rainy season – between Ethiopia, Maban, and Yabus, arguably the
most important village currently held by the SPLM-N. 186
Even though Ethiopia has largely maintained its neutrality throughout the current conflict (and is indeed
participating in the mediation between Khartoum and the SPLM-N), the areas in which most refugee camps
are located are perceived as accessible and welcoming to the Sudanese government and security forces, in
particular, because there is a Sudanese consulate in Assosa. 187 This has
made some refugees reluctant to stay in Ethiopia, fearing
harassment. 188
While displacement inside and out of Blue Nile has been ongoing
since 2011, some refugees from South Sudan and Ethiopia have also
decided to return to Blue Nile, both into government and SPLM-N
held areas. There are different factors impacting people’s decision to
“If the Antonov is still
coming, we dig a
foxhole. I will also need
tools to cultivate. If I
have this, I can stay.”
move and different patterns of movement, with some people moving back to their home areas, and others
moving into other areas, in particular in situations in which their home area is under government control.
Such movement is evident in Yabus Bala, where many families or returnees from other parts of Blue Nile have
settled, because they are not able to move back into government held areas. This area is also considered
relatively safe due to its proximity to the Ethiopian border and therefore less frequented by the Antonovs. It
is also a trade route, with a local market and a road connecting it to Bunj.
One Ingessana man, originally from Bau County and currently residing in Yabus Bala, said: “When we came
from the mountains we went to Jamam and then to Yusuf Batil. Because of the problems of food and security
– because many people were killed – we decided to come here.” 189 Since moving back into Blue Nile, this
man has been appointed sheikh of the local Ingessana community, which is composed of different Ingessana
families from the camps who returned to Sudan. 190 He said that there are 1,320 returnees under his authority,
including children:
These are random families that became a community here [not a whole community that moved
together]. Sometimes the man comes first to organise and then the family joins later. Here people
can farm and cultivate and also there are roots they can eat. There are no conflicts [between the
communities]. The planes are disturbing us but we go into the foxholes. 191
185
The path between Yabus and Assosa is reportedly unsuitable for vehicles and also less secure (due to occasional
bandits). During the dry season, access to Yabus from Bunj (the town near Doro refugee camp) is possible with vehicles.
186
South Sudanese refugees that fled to Ethiopia have also used this route, according to interviews in Yabus.
187
For more on Ethiopia’s role in the current conflict, see ICG, 2013, 37-41.
188
Interviews in Maban, May 2016.
189
Interview with a man (sheikh), Yabus, May 2016.
190
According to interviews in Yabus, such settlements in the area are not causing tensions between communities
because certain lands were allocated for returnees in advance. According to the sheikh interviewed, he is in charge of
telling returnees where to settle and cultivate according to the orders he received from the local omda.
191
Interview with a man (sheikh), Yabus, May 2016.
SEPTEMBER 2016