The Nigerian government has sent buses to evacuate Nigerian students who were stranded in Sudan due to the ongoing crisis. The buses arrived at the International University of Africa in Khartoum on Monday, April 24, 2023, and will take the students to Cairo, Egypt.
This is an important effort by the Nigerian government to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens in a time of crisis. We hope that all Nigerians in Sudan can return home safely and that the situation in the country improves soon.
Clearance | Verification of Students
Officials checked the students’ IDs when they arrived. Female students and children got 60% of the first available seats, and male students got the rest. More buses are coming, and snacks and water are available.
Challenges | Delays
A committee member said it’s risky to move many students in Sudan without help from both sides. The buses were late because they needed permission and payment took time to clear.
Efforts Toward Safe Return of Nigerians in Sudan
The students will leave soon because payment went through and both sides agreed. The head of the National Emergency Management Agency is in Cairo, and some staff are at the border to help. More officials are coming to make sure all Nigerians in Sudan come home safely.
In Case You Missed It
Sudan is experiencing clashes between its military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and displacement of thousands.
This conflict began when the military regime split into two main factions – the Sudanese armed forces and the RSF – causing tensions and a power struggle to emerge. The RSF, once known as the Janjaweed, were formed by the former dictator Omar al-Bashir to crush a rebellion in Darfur over 20 years ago.
The RSF fought in wars in Yemen and Libya and was eventually led by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, who helped overthrow Bashir in 2019. The civilian-led transition to democracy was interrupted by a military coup in 2021, causing tension between the RSF, led by Hemedti, and the military forces under Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Other issues such as the integration of the RSF into the regular armed forces, the military’s handover of lucrative military holdings, and allegations of war crimes by the military are also contributing to the conflict. The instability in Sudan could destabilize the region, which borders the Red Sea, the Sahel region, and the Horn of Africa. ((theguardian.com))
Sudan’s neighbors, including Ethiopia, Chad, and South Sudan, have also experienced political upheaval and conflict. Russia, the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other powers are fighting for influence in Sudan, and Western powers fear a potential Russian base on the Red Sea.
