At least 342 evacuees who were stranded in war-torn Sudan have arrived in the country.
On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, the Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Simon Chelugui and Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu received the evacuees at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
“The government of the Republic of Kenya through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs last night facilitated the evacuation of more nationals and personnel of United Nations, agencies, the diplomatic corps and international and regional organizations accredited to Nairobi who were trapped in the Sudan conflict,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The government says that the evacuation was done through a multi-agency team created to facilitate entry, departure, transit and movement within Kenya of affected staff and dependants.
“As a result of this coordinated effort, the government through the ministry was able to coordinate the arrival of 342 evacuees who arrived from Khartoum through the port of Sudan by ferry to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where they were flown in two aircraft,” the statement added.
Government plans on evacuation of Kenyans from Sudan
Speaking after receiving the evacuees, Chelugui reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of all Kenyans and other nationals that wish to return from Sudan to Kenya.
The evacuees include Kenyan nationals and personnel of the United Nations, agencies, the diplomatic corps and international and regional organizations accredited to Nairobi who were trapped in the Sudan conflict.
Two factions of the military have been engaged in a bloody battle seeking to control power, which has left hundreds dead and others injured.
It is reported that at least 10,000 civilians have fled to neighbouring South Sudan even as the war intensifies in Khartoum.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that more than 400 people have been killed and over 3,000 more injured.
