Pandor: Continued internet in Sudan helped with evacuation
Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Naledi Pandor says continued internet connection in Sudan helped with the evacuation.
Pandor was speaking at O.R Tambo International Airport on Sunday, where she welcomed the second group of South Africans back home from violence-torn Sudan.
The first group of evacuees arrived on Saturday afternoon after their employer paid for the flights.
The South African nationals were stuck in Sudan after conflict broke out between Sudan’s army and a paramilitary group.
More than 500 people have been killed and nearly 4 200 others wounded in the fighting.
The second group were first travelled to Saudi Arabia after being evacuated from Sudan.
“Fortunately, the fact that Sudan continued to have internet and some communication availability, that made it possible for us to have constant communication,” Pandor said.
“The number of those who were evacuated who have just arrived is 53, this is made up of 51 South Africans, one Zimbabwean and one Lesotho national”.
“We are really grateful, and we must thank our members in the SANDF, state security agency, our diplomatic staff, officials in the department of international relation and cooperation, our SA ambassador to Sudan, Gift of the Givers and the Department of Home Affairs.”
Pandor also said the government hopes to play a role in ending the conflict in Sudan.
“We as government hope that we can in some way bring peace back to Sudan because it is South Africa’s policy that we must try however we can in our continent to silence the guns. We will try to make every effort to engage with the current conflict party’s in Sudan to persuade them to lay down arms and to work for peace.”
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