Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa says he’s grateful that they were able to use the small window of opportunity during the “small ceasefire” to safely evacuate South African citizens stranded in the conflicted Sudan.
Ramaphosa said he hopes the 77 SA nationals and nationals from Angola and Namibia and other countries return home and to their respective countries soon.
On Monday, Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) spokesperson, Clayson Monyela said SA Embassy in Egypt received and facilitated the entry of the evacuated nationals, adding that government will pay for their flights back to SA.
Speaking on the rescue operation on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said they were concerned about the dangerous situation a number of people are subjected to.
“For us it is a dangerous moment for many people and we have had no choice but to go and lend assistance and get people out. We hope that they will be able to return back to South Africa and their respective countries,” Ramaphosa said.
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He said through the African Union and the East African regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), they want to intervene to ensure the conflict comes to an end, adding that the conflict between the two groups disrupts economies and the lives of ordinary people.
“It is for this reason that we insist and call upon those who are involved in this conflict to immediately cease the violent activities they are involved in. We call for peace and mediation…the only way the problem in Sudan can be resolved is through negotiation and mediation,” Ramaphosa said.
The deadly fighting in Sudan erupted on 15 April during negotiations to integrate the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the country’s military as part of plans to restore civil rule and over 420 people have since been killed.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
