Kenya evacuates 39 students from Sudan amid fighting

NAIROBI,

April 25 (Xinhua)

Kenya has evacuated 39 students from Sudan as military clashes between the Sudanese army and paramilitary group intensified on Tuesday.

Aden Duale, cabinet secretary for the Kenyan Ministry of Defence, welcomed 19 students from Kenya, 19 Somalis, and a Saudi Arabian on Monday evening.

"The 39, all students at the International University of Africa, Khartoum, were rescued at the Paloich Airport, South Sudan by the Kenya Air Force after a long and tiresome trek, amidst the deafening sounds of guns and bazookas," Duale told journalists at the airport.

He applauded the youngsters for their courage and resilience in braving the ongoing clashes and further encouraged Kenyans stranded in Sudan and their families back home to continue registering with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs for logistical purposes.

He said Kenya's position as a country committed to regional peace and stability is similar to that of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as pronounced by President William Ruto.

"We condemn the senseless killings, destruction of property, and general unrest in Sudan, and encourage the warring factions to give genuine and open dialogue a chance," Duale said.

Several countries have evacuated their nationals, and thousands more have made dangerous escapes after violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted across Sudan on April 15.

More than 400 people have been killed and over 3,000 more injured in clashes in Sudan since the unrest started, according to the World Health Organization.

COURTESY: Xinhua

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