Gambians in Sudan to be evacuated  

Unexpected fighting erupted and has continued in the capital city since April, 15, and despite calls for a cease fire by the international community, unrelenting violence persists.  

The two military men - General Abdel Fattah-Al Burhan, the head of the Armed Forces and his deputy and leader of the RSF, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who swore to defend country are currently at the centre of a protracted and lingering dispute.  

Since then Gambians stranded in the country demanded immediate assistance to either leave or transferred to a safe environment, thus prompted the Point's inquiries. 

Consequently, Mr Sanneh, revealed that already affected Gambians have been moved to Port Sudan where they are expected to be transported by a Saudi vessel to the Kingdom. So far, both accommodation and lodging are secured for them.  

The Gambian diplomat added that following the relevant procedure, a flight would be provided for the Gambians to return home as soon as possible.  

Additionally, Mr Sanneh, disclosed that the Gambians include 52 male students; 7 female students; two staff of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority; a professional Gambian footballer and two Gambians – holding UK and US passports respectively.  

Regarding another Gambian footballer who prefers to remain in the country, Mr Sanneh, confirmed that that he told officials that he is in a “safe location”.  

Responding to the support rendered by other officials, Mr Sanneh disclosed that Gambian national Dr Jeng, working for the UN has done a “tremendous work in the whole process”.  

He further disclosed that Dr Jeng was not only instrumental in seeing to it that the Gambians are contacted, but also located and transferred to a safe place pending final evacuation.  

Mr Sanneh also revealed that due to the fact that The Gambia doesn’t have an Ambassador in the war-torn country, as Consul General, he is covering Sudan and that all documentation and other relevant paperwork are piloted by his office.  

Concerned Gambians without passports, he added are issued with temporal travel documents and that the Gambian Embassy in Ethiopia has also done an incredible job in the process.  

Mr Sanneh also mentioned the assistance of Gambian Embassy officials in Saudi Arabia; the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister and his Deputy as well as the Gambian Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Permanent Secretary for their immense support,  

Imam Jaiteh, Gambian Ambassador At-Large, who is in the region, concluded by commending the efforts of the Gambian officials for a vital service.