The Somali government is making preparations to evacuate its citizens from Sudan if the fighting between rival forces in the country escalates. Mohamed Sheikh Isak, the Somali ambassador to Sudan, confirmed that plans are being made to move Somalis out of the country. If evacuation through airports is not possible, buses will be rented to transport citizens to neighbouring countries such as South Sudan and Ethiopia.
The fighting in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, has led to fears for the safety of Somali students studying in the city. Hayat Aden, a student at Khartoum’s International University of Africa, spoke of the terrifying gunfire in the city and appealed to the Somali government to evacuate them. Another student, Hassan Nor Ali, reported that basic services such as water and electricity have stopped running and that there is no food or supplies available.
The foreign affairs ministry has set up an online registration form for Somalis in Sudan and created a WhatsApp group to keep Somali citizens informed about the situation. However, any movement or evacuation will depend on conditions on the ground. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged the rival sides in Sudan to resolve their differences peacefully through constructive dialogue. The fighting between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has taken the lives of nearly 100 people.
