Nigeria’s federal government has assured that citizens trapped in crisis-ridden Sudan would be evacuated in the next two days, stating that talks are in advance stage with the Sudanese government to allow a safe passage from the country.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyeama gave the assurance during an interview on Channels TV on Sunday.
Onyeama, who said the stranded Nigerians may be transported from Sudan by road into Egypt, revealed that already Nigerian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt is making arrangements to receive.
The Minister said at the moment airlifting the stranded citizens from Sudan is ruled out because of the large contingent of 5,500, insisting that some of the countries who have started airlifting have a far smaller citizens as low as 100.
Onyeama, who argued that no one saw the crisis degenerating to this present level on the horizon, said: “No country evacuated from Sudan before two days ago,” insisting that there is crisis in some African countries as well and that does not mean citizens should be immediately evacuated from them.
He argued that should Nigeria resort to the airlifting a paltry 100 people from the large contingent, it would be seen as favouring some citizens over others.
He noted that what is still delaying the evacuation is the need to receive the assurance of the Sudanese government so as not to put the lives of the Nigerians at risk during their transportation from the country into Egypt.
He said: “We need the assurance of the Sudanese government to take them out to the border of our choice. If they are attacked on the road without assurance from the Sudanese government, we would be blamed.”
He ruled out any military operation in Sudan to get the stranded Nigerians out, stating that “we would cross that bridge when we get there,” insisting that no one taught the crisis was going to degenerate to this level as it was a misunderstanding between the Sudanese President and the Vice President.
He insisted that Nigerian government is yet to see any reason that could lead to Nigerians being targeted by the fractions.
He also assured Nigerians of their safety in any country they may be residing, stating that the Nigerian government has a robust plan to protect its citizens in whatever country they are residing.
He said: “We engage with their host nations to see they are protected.”
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
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