Trapped South Africans Embark On Precarious Rescue Mission From Sudan Conflict Zone
41 South Africans Safe
A team of government departments led by the Gift of the Givers Foundation, Imtiaz Sooliman, has successfully helped 41 South Africans to safety in Sudan. The South Africans were stranded in Sudan after conflict broke out in the country, leaving them trapped.
Sooliman has shared that a ‘mult-SA government department’ effort was made to bus the 41 stranded South Africans to safety. The rescue mission took several days to execute and was completed without a hitch.
Sooliman thanked the government officials and private donors who supported the rescue mission, which was able to bring the South Africans to a safer location where they could receive necessary medical attention and make arrangements to return home.
29 South Africans Remain Unaccounted for
While the safe evacuation of 41 South Africans is a cause for celebration, there are still 29 South Africans whose whereabouts are unknown. It is unclear how and whether they will be rescued from Sudan now that the conflict has intensified.
According to reports from Allafrica.com, at least 10 South African employees of Vodacom International were deploying fibre internet cables in two provinces in northern Sudan when their team’s vehicles were attacked on Tuesday (20 April). Four of the workers managed to escape with their lives, while another six were injured in the terrorist attack.
“Due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, it is difficult to ascertain the situation of the remaining 29 South Africans,” The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said in a statement released on Friday (23 April).
South Africa’s Response
Meanwhile, back in South Africa, the government is doing what it can to assist the families of the South African nationals stranded in Sudan. DIRCO has said that it is working with relevant authorities, including the Sudanese government and Vodacom International, to ensure the safety and welfare of all South Africans in the area.
The government has also urged family members of the missing South Africans to remain calm and patient as it works to bring their loved ones back home safely. DIRCO has provided a hotline for families seeking information and assistance: +27 12 351 1000.
The Conflict in Sudan
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has been a source of concern for many foreigners trapped in the region, including the 41 South Africans who were successfully rescued. According to reports, the Sudanese government is fighting a rebel alliance in the country’s Darfur region, leading to increased violence and instability.
Many people have died or been injured due to the conflict, and a significant number of civilians have been displaced from their homes. There have also been reports of kidnappings and other atrocities committed against both foreign and local nationals in the area.
Conclusion
While the successful evacuation of 41 stranded South Africans is a ray of hope, the situation remains precarious for the 29 South Africans whose whereabouts are unknown. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation continues to work tirelessly to reunite these South Africans with their families.
In the face of ongoing conflict and instability in the region, it is clear that the situation remains a serious concern for all those involved. However, the South African government’s commitment to bringing its citizens to safety is a cause for hope and a testament to its dedication to protecting its citizens abroad.
