CHARLES MOLELE
THE Department of International Relations Minister Dr Naledi Pandor has welcome back the remaining group of South Africans who were evacuated from Sudan at the OR Tambo International Airport.
Concerned families and friends have been eagerly awaiting their arrival after war broke out in Sudan between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in the capital, Khartoum.
Various aid agencies said this week that hundreds of thousands of people, including Sudanese and other nationalities stranded inside Sudan, remain in dire need of safe passage, safe shelters, and urgent relief due to the armed conflict and lack of food, water, medicine, shelter, vital facilities, and other bare necessities.
Addressing reporters at the OR Tambo international airport on Sunday, Pandor said she was delighted that the South African government managed to evacuate all its citizens from the war-torn Sudan.
“We thought that it is important that the people of South Africa see that all the nationals of South Africa that had indicated that they wish to return home are back home. We just want South Africa to be assured because all of us have been waiting for you to come back. We’re absolutely happy that able to return home safely,” she said.
However, she also expressed her concern for the people of Sudan who are still affected by the ongoing conflict, adding that it was important for the international community to work towards finding a peaceful solution to the conflict and supporting the people of Sudan during this challenging time.
The SA government worked closely with neighbouring countries as well as the South African NGO, Gift of the Givers, to ensure the safe return of evacuees, she said.
A total of 53 individuals arrived on a flight back to South Africa on Sunday.
On Saturday, 10 South Africans returned home.
“I’m greeting you on behalf of the President, the government and the people of South Africa, and all we wish to say is that we are really happy. We feel for the people of Sudan who are experiencing a terrible conflict and we pray that the conflict will end,” said Pandor.
“There are 51 of you who have come back, who are here today and we had more who arrived yesterday on a commercial airline. I am really grateful and I am sure you would agree with me that we must thank the members of our South African National Defence Force, we must thank our State Security, and we must thank our diplomatic staff.”
The evacuees were taken from Sudan to Egypt after which they travelled to Kenya.
The first batch of 10 South Africans rescued from Sudan arrived at the airport on Saturday night.
On Friday, the Sudanese police deployed the Central Reserve Forces in the streets of the capital Khartoum to maintain security.
“There is no right to go on fighting for power when the country is falling apart,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Saturday as fighting between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces entered a third week.
INSIDE POLITICS. Additional reporting by agencies.
