All South Africans out of Sudan, confirms Dirco

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) confirmed on Saturday that all South Africans known to them who were still stuck in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, have been safely evacuated.

The first group is expected to arrive at O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon after their employer has paid for flights for them.

The rest of the South Africans have been booked into a hotel in Egypt, paid for by government, and flight tickets will now be bought for them to return home.

The evacuation came amid a US-brokered ceasefire between Sudan’s warring generals that did not yield much success.

ALSO READ: Fighting enters third week in Sudan despite new truce

Dirco spokesperson, Clayson Monyela says the evacuation was made possible through partnerships with the humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers, and assistance from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan.

He, however, says it was not without difficulties and frustrations.

“A group of our nationals crossed from Port Sudan to Jeddah. Our Consul-General and his team received them and facilitated on-ground support,” he said.

This is the group that is expected back in South Africa on Saturday afternoon.