Kenyans to be evacuated as fighting escalates in Sudan

The government on Monday activated an evacuation plan should the situation in Sudan deteriorate further.

The Principal Secretary in charge of Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu says the government has developed an appropriate response to assist Kenyans working and living in Sudan.

The decision follows intense fighting in Sudan that started on Saturday between the army and paramilitary forces. 

With more than 90 people killed in the ongoing fighting between Sudan’s army and paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces, RSF that ensued last week, Kenya says it has activated an evacuation plan to airlift its citizens should the situation worsen.

"...We are committed to ensuring that all Kenyans are safely rescued and brought home, should the situation warrant it. However, we continue to appeal to all Kenyans in Sudan to continue to stay indoors," said the PS.

The fighting in Sudan continues amid calls for cessation of hostilities by the UN, the African Union and regional body, the Inter-governmental Authority on Development, all calling for de-escalation and a return to normalcy.

"Kenya is committed to peace in the region, and we have been engaged in the peace process in Sudan and the entire region of pushing for and advocating for peace. What I can say is that the President is engaged and will continue to engage," she added.

The State Department for Diaspora Affairs also provided emergency contact for Kenyans working and living in Khartoum. Kenyans in Sudan can reach out to the Embassy through +249 900194854 while a local emergency contact +254 0114757002 for friends and relatives of Kenyans living in Sudan.

"We have about 400 students in Khartoum, we do have a large number of Kenyans who work for multinationals and international organizations, we do have a number of domestic workers as well, and we are in the process of mapping what those demographics look like which is why we have asked Kenyans to contact the Embassy," said Ms Njogu.

Water and power cuts have been reported in the Sudanese capital, a situation that may lead to a humanitarian crisis according to aid agencies.

The latest fighting is between the army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF that is led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

The two are former allies who helped orchestrate a military coup in October 2021, less than two years following the removal from power of Sudan’s longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir.