FG: It's not possible to evacuate Nigerian students from Sudan at this time

 The Nigerian government has declared that it is currently impossible to evacuate its citizens from

Sudan, where they have become trapped in the midst of a violent conflict. Reports indicate that fighting between two rival generals has resulted in over 300 deaths since Saturday, just ahead of the end of Ramadan. Those Nigerians who are stranded in the country have been pleading for help.

 

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, released a statement in response to the crisis. In it, she explained that the Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have made arrangements to evacuate Nigerian students and citizens, but the tense situation on the ground has made this too risky and difficult to carry out. The airport in the country has been closed since Friday, when aircraft parked there were set on fire.

 

The statement also noted that humanitarian groups are working to bring food, water, and medical supplies to the affected people. However, without the ability to evacuate them, many Nigerians remain in grave danger.

 

Dabiri-Erewa went on to call on the warring parties to adhere to the Juba Peace Agreement put forth by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as a means to restore peace and stability to Sudan. Until this is achieved, however, it appears that Nigerian citizens will have to wait for evacuation until the situation on the ground becomes less volatile.