Khartoum, Sudan – (African Boulevard News) – Asiel Mohamed, an American citizen, arrived in Sudan on April 10, 2023, with her family and just five days later, her nightmare began. The sound of bombs, missiles, and heavy artillery woke her up and continued for the next eleven days. The family was deeply disappointed by the lack of organization and support from the State Department.
Asiel’s family was in Sudan to visit relatives and to enjoy the African sun. They never expected or imagined that they were going to witness the violence that raged throughout the country. Asiel told African Boulevard News that, “the explosions were extremely close; we could feel the vibrations in our bones. The gunfire was non-stop, and the sounds of bullets were like a constant hum in our ears.”
As the violence continued, Asiel contacted the State Department, hoping that they could provide support and guidance on how to evacuate. However, the State Department was unreachable, and her messages and calls remained unanswered for days. Asiel and her family were left abandoned and helpless in a foreign country without any support or guidance from their government.
The State Department’s lack of response was disappointing, especially considering that Asiel and her family are American citizens. Asiel expressed her frustration, saying that “it was like being forgotten by the government. We felt completely abandoned and had to rely on our relatives and local authorities for safety.”
Moreover, Asiel’s story highlights the challenges that US citizens face when they find themselves in dangerous situations abroad and the lack of support from the State Department. An expert in International affairs, Dr. Tim Murtii, told African Boulevard News that “The State Department has a responsibility to support and protect its citizens, especially when they are facing violence abroad. The fact that Asiel and her family were left stranded and abandoned for eleven days is unacceptable.”
In conclusion, Asiel’s 11-day nightmare in Sudan highlights the importance of the State Department’s role in protecting and supporting American citizens abroad. The lack of responsiveness from the State Department is concerning and calls for an urgent review of the Department’s policies and practices to ensure that American citizens are adequately protected and supported during emergencies abroad. It is not too late for the State Department to act and ensure that no American citizen is left stranded and abandoned in a foreign country again.
