South Sudan to evacuate students from Ethiopia’s Amhara region
November 10, 2021 (JUBA) – South Sudan has announced plans to evacuate up to 59 students sponsored by the Ethiopian government in the Amhara region, over security and safety concerns.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, the deputy Foreign Affairs minister Deng Dau said the South Sudanese government was working on phases to complete the evacuation of students trapped in conflict areas of the region.
“We have reports showing that there are up to 59 students in the Amhara region. These students are in Ethiopia as part of the bilateral arrangement for the Ethiopian government to allow study there. There was a bilateral arrangement and they have been studying but now it appears to us their security is becoming a concern to members of their families, their relatives, and even us in the government,” explained Dau.
The minister said more than 300 South Sudanese students are currently in the Horn of Africa country, pursuing different courses in the different universities.
“So, we have spoken to all Ethiopian leaders to allow us to evacuate them first to Addis and later think of other alternatives,” he added.
Ethiopian opposition sources, in an email to Sudan Tribune, claimed their forces have seized Dessie, a strategic town in Amhara, causing civilians to flee the area.
Media reports say that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) fighters have pushed the Ethiopian government forces from Dessie and are advancing toward the town of Kombolcha.
Dau described relations with Ethiopian leaders from either side of the conflict as “excellent”, citing Ethiopia’s role in ending the current and past conflict in Sudan
“Our relations with the Ethiopians and their leadership in various associations and structures are the best in the region. We have historical relations with them. They have been supportive of our cause whenever we have issues. The 2013 conflict was stopped through mediation by Ethiopian leaders,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the South Sudanese official reiterated the readiness of President Salva Kiir to mediate the Ethiopia crisis, pointing to his acceptance by all sides.
(ST)