ABUJA, Nigeria – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, announced on Sunday, April 23, 2023, that the federal government plans to begin evacuating stranded Nigerians from conflict-ridden Sudan within the next two days.
The country has been torn apart by fighting between forces loyal to Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Since the crisis erupted last Saturday, hundreds of people have been killed in Sudan’s capital as the rival generals’ forces clashed.
Thousands of Nigerians are currently in Sudan, with 5,500 expressing interest in evacuation to Nigeria.
Onyeama discussed the government’s plans during an appearance on the Channels program, Sunday Politics.
He said, “We are hoping that in the next day or two, we can start. We would have gotten approval from the Sudanese government to start moving our people out.”
The minister has been in contact with Nigeria’s ambassador to Egypt to help facilitate a corridor for evacuation and provide support for the evacuees upon their arrival.
Onyeama dismissed accusations that the federal government had not shown enough concern for Nigerians in Sudan, emphasising that the security of Nigerian citizens is the government’s top priority.
Approximately 5,500 Nigerians are ready for evacuation from Sudan, with 80% of them being students.
Onyeama stated that various government agencies, including NEMA, are collaborating to provide relief to those stranded and determine their needs before evacuation.
