The Case of Mayu

The Case of Mayu

1970

The South-Sudanese IDP camp was established in Mayu

1973

The establishment of the local market in Mayu (Souq 6)

1981

The government moved the diverse IDPs from Al-Eshash to join the southSudanese in Mayu

2011

The separation of the South, resulted in most of the southSudanese moving out of Mayu, and a huge decrease in the population.

Fig.2. Kids playing in an open space in Mayu

June 2021 (Author)

Mayu was established in the 1970s as an IDP camp for South-Sudanese when the civil wars and violence beyond the southern state (then) borders was peeking, and it acted as a refuge for them when the armed conflicts started in the 1990s. The camp was well facilitated with the help of the UNHCR and other international NGOs; full of churches, medical clinics, and training centres for the illiterate.

Another IDPs destination area was near the National Market (Al-Souq AlSha’abi) area, and it was called Al Eshash. It was inhabited by IDPs from diverse backgrounds and areas around Sudan. It also was home for poor migrants.

Over time Al Eshash got over crowded and the government moved the entire community to live in the camp with the South-Sudanese. After th e separation of South Sudan, most South-Sudanese moved out of Mayu, but some still live there to this day.

The market (Souq 6), located in the northern boarders of Mayu tying it to neighbouring communities, was established shortly after the move from Al Eshash, creating job opportunities, and a shopping centre for the residents. The market still to this day provides the community with jobs, as the vast majority work in it, and it also serves as an integration point between the small society and the big one outside of it.

The recent planning proves that the government considers them permanent residents, but they are still neglected, without any form of infrastructure what so ever, electricity poles only recently installed in only the parts closer to the market, and having water is a personal effort not all can afford. The planning stopped before covering the entire area, leaving a combination between formal and informal housing. Mayu’s current residents are from all over the country, it became home for so many, and it still serves as Khartoum’s host for IDPs.