Cape Town – Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says five South Africans are still trapped in war-torn Sudan.
Fighting raged in the east African country on Friday, despite rival forces agreeing to extend a truce aimed to stem nearly two weeks of warfare that has killed hundreds and caused widespread destruction.
In the war-ravaged western Darfur region, at least 74 people were killed in just two days of bitter urban battles that broke out this week in the city of El Geneina, AFP reported.
Ntshavheni said the government was working to rescue the remaining South Africans along with other nationals who asked for assistance.
Addressing the post-Cabinet media briefing on Friday, the minister said the South African evacuation mission also assisted nationals from Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Brazil.
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She said there were five South Africans who were still in Sudan because at the time of the evacuation they had not made contact with the embassy.
“Cabinet is appealing to South Africans to always notify our Missions of their presence when travelling abroad including for holiday purposes.
“Cabinet reiterated the call for an end to hostilities in Sudan and calls for peace and calm among the parties involved in the conflict in keeping with the African Union (AU) objective of silencing the guns on the continent,” Ntshavheni said, according to SA News.
On Monday the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said the number of verified South African nationals stuck in Sudan was 77.
At the time, the department said the government was doing everything possible to get South African nationals out of Sudan.
Earlier this week, South Africa reiterated its appeal to the parties involved in the conflict to heed international calls for an immediate ceasefire as unarmed civilians, including visitors from many parts of the world, remain stranded and fast running out of supplies.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
Additional information by AFP
