KUALA LUMPUR: In an effort to help Malaysians stranded in Sudan to be brought back safely, the Malaysian government has contacted Sudan’s highest administration to request permission to land in the country.
Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir said, the application was part of the process to bring back Malaysians stranded in the country.
He said, at the same time the government is also considering other options including relocating Malaysian citizens in Sudan.
The Minister said that in response to the media report that the Sudan Civil Aviation Authority has extended the closure of the country’s airspace until April 30.
It was reported that 32 Malaysians are in Sudan in seven different areas of the country. Last Friday, in an operation conducted by officers from the Malaysian Embassy in Khartoum, two Malaysians have been brought out of Sudan.
“Efforts to negotiate with the conflicting parties to make way for the attempts to bring Malaysians out are still ongoing,” Zambry said as quoted by Berita Harian.
International media reports said that more countries are also gearing up to evacuate their citizens despite the closure of Sudan’s main airport. The first group of more than 150 nationalities arrived in Saudi Arabia Saturday while conflict between the army and paramilitary groups entered its second week.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the conflict in Sudan has recorded more than 400 deaths while 3,500 have been injured.
The power struggle in Sudan erupted on 15th April as a result of a dispute between the Sudan Army and the Rapid Support Force. – Malaysia World News
