government has declared that it is currently impossible to evacuate its
citizens from
Sudan, where they have become trapped in the midst of a violent
conflict. Reports indicate that fighting between two rival generals has
resulted in over 300 deaths since Saturday, just ahead of the end of Ramadan.
Those Nigerians who are stranded in the country have been pleading for help.
The
Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa,
released a statement in response to the crisis. In it, she explained that the
Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
have made arrangements to evacuate Nigerian students and citizens, but the
tense situation on the ground has made this too risky and difficult to carry
out. The airport in the country has been closed since Friday, when aircraft
parked there were set on fire.
The
statement also noted that humanitarian groups are working to bring food, water,
and medical supplies to the affected people. However, without the ability to
evacuate them, many Nigerians remain in grave danger.
Dabiri-Erewa
went on to call on the warring parties to adhere to the Juba Peace Agreement
put forth by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as a means
to restore peace and stability to Sudan. Until this is achieved, however, it
appears that Nigerian citizens will have to wait for evacuation until the
situation on the ground becomes less volatile.
