TheCable

Muhammad Yusuf, Sudan’s ambassador to Nigeria, has asked Nigerian evacuees to return to the North African country after the crisis cools off.

Yusuf made the request in the early hours of Thursday morning shortly after some of the evacuated Nigerians arrived at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Nigerians arrived in the country after spending nearly a week stranded in Egypt over visa and border clearance issues.

They had previously spent two weeks in Sudan waiting for evacuation from the federal government.

Yusuf asked them to consider Sudan as their second country, expressing optimism that the chaos would be controlled soon.

“The situation in Khartoum is calming down and the army is going to soon control the whole territory,” the ambassador said.

“I’m very sorry for what is happening there but at the same time I’m very happy to have these evacuees coming from Sudan safe, no life is lost. Nigerians are coming from their second country now to their home countries.

“I hope that things will be controlled there (Sudan) and safety would be back and rehabilitation will be started there and you can come back to your second country to pursue and continue your studies for those who are students and for others who have business there.”

He said the government had proposed another humanitarian truce but insisted that there would be no negotiations between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

“About the truce, yes, there is a proposal to have a truce for seven days. The government of Sudan has given its acceptance to this truce for only humanitarian purpose to make way for people who are trapped to get their basic needs like food, shelter, water, medicine,” Yusuf said.

“But, definitely as announced by the government of Sudan, no direct negotiations will be held between the rebels and the legitimate army.”