By Ntombi Mhlongo
The Republic of Zimbabwe has offered to lend a helping hand to emaSwati who may need assistance in being evacuated from the war-torn Sunday.
In a press statement issued on Saturday morning, the Government of Eswatini notified the nation that Zimbabwe has agreed to assist with the evacuation of Swati nationals currently in Sudan and many need assistance to be evacuated or repatriated.
“So far, Government has heard from one liSwati in Sudan, who is currently safe. Zimbabwe has expressed willingness to assist any other liSwati that may be in Sudan, particularly around Khartoum, where there is ongoing fighting between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. We are grateful to the Government of Zimbabwe for this kind gesture,” reads part of the statement issued by the Government of Eswatini.
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It further encouraged those who may have relatives or acquaintances who need to be repatriated to contact Ambassador Gumbo from Zimbabwe on the number +249 99 226 9497 or Eswatini’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Mahlaba Mamba at +60 11-2337 5463.
The violence in Sudan has intensified and many African countries are currently preparing to assist their citizens who are based there. Early this week, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation assured that it is closely monitoring the situation concerning its over 100 citizens caught up there.
The South African Government also appealed to the parties involved in the conflict in Sudan to heed international calls for an immediate ceasefire as unarmed civilians, including visitors from many parts of the world, remain stranded.
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On Monday, CNN reported that months of tensions between a paramilitary group and the country’s army have continued. Clashes around the army headquarters and presidential palace in the capital Khartoum involved heavy weapons.
There have also been reports of battles hundreds of miles away in the eastern city of Port Sudan and the western Darfur region. According to the CNN report, the Central Committee of Doctors reported that at least 56 people have been killed and nearly 600 injured in the clashes.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged all parties to the conflict to respect the neutrality of health care and ensure unrestricted access to health facilities for those injured by the hostilities.
