By: Nyima Sillah
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement on plans to evacuate Gambians in Ukraine following the ongoing political and military tensions between Ukraine and Russia in the country.
The Gambia government informed the general public that the embassy of The Gambia in Brussels is in touch with the executive of The Gambia students Association in Ukraine.
“In Ukraine it has been confirmed by the mission in Brussels that about forty eight (48) Gambian Nationals are currently in Ukraine (mostly students) this number is expected to increase,” the report noted.
According to the statement, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs international Cooperation and Gambians Abroad has launched a diplomatic engagement with the Kingdom of Morocco and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on possible evacuation plans and possibilities of providing consular and humanitarian assistance to Gambians in Ukraine.
The Report also stated that The Gambia government is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of its citizens and calls on Gambians in Ukraine to follow the safety instructions of the Ukraine authorities under the circumstances and remain in touch with the Gambia embassy in Brussels.
However, the report noted that similar diplomatic demarches are ongoing with European Union member states bordering Ukraine with due regard to the safety of Gambian nationals, an exit and evacuation plan has been put in place and Gambian’s in Ukraine are already following the referred plan.
In addition, the MoFA urged families of Gambians in Ukraine to remain calm as the government is doing everything important to provide all necessary assistance.