Cypriot family located in Sudan, safe at home

A ten-member Cypriot family remains safely in their home in Khartoum, the foreign ministry confirmed on Tuesday as Sudan remains locked in turmoil.

“They are safe, which is why they obviously did not seek to communicate themselves, but there has been communication in an attempt to verify all the information obtained through the Honorary Consul,” foreign ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis told the Cyprus News Agency.

What matters, he added, is that there is communication now. These people grew up in Khartoum and obviously know better than us the conditions and how to protect themselves. If something comes up, they know where to turn.

“Beyond that, it’s a matter of coordination with the EU consular network and how we will proceed if there is a ceasefire,” he added.

Asked if there were other families, he said the search continues. The effort is to locate them in the same way this particular family was found.

“What needs to be emphasised is that there must be a ceasefire so that each country can determine exactly what its own nationals need,” Gotsis added.

“We urge the public, if there is more information, even if it is unconfirmed, to convey it to us so that verification can take place,” he added.

Earlier Cyprus ambassador to Egypt, Poli Ioannou had said all Cypriots who had been in Sudan were absent from the country for the Easter holidays.

Speaking to CyBC, she said the situation on the ground was very difficult and fighting is raging in the streets.

The embassy is monitoring the situation and remains in contact with the consul of Cyprus in Sudan, the members of the Cypriot community and the Diocese, Ioannou said.

In a Twitter post on Monday, Gotsis said the ministry’s crisis management centre has been active and in contact with the embassy in Cairo, which covers Sudan, as well as the Cypriot consul in Khartoum.

Gotsis also noted that the situation is being monitored in cooperation with the EU.

Fighting broke out in Sudan on Saturday between army units loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The two military rivals’ clashes continued for a second day, plunging the country into chaos.

At least 185 people have been killed and more than 1,800 injured, UN envoy Volker Perthes said on Monday amid airstrikes and fighting in Khartoum and strife across Sudan that has raised fears of a wider conflict.

Meanwhile, former Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides described the events in Sudan as a setback in efforts to respond to the will of the people.

Speaking to CNA, he said the developments are regrettable because they destroy all efforts to transfer power from military forces to political power.

Regarding the Greeks who are there trapped in the bishopric, he expressed the view that they are not targeted but endangered.

“I don’t believe that either faction or the other is targeting the Greek Orthodox Church and the Greeks, but they are also in danger through crossfire or accidents, which arise as they did with the serious injury of a Greek.”

Their fate, he said, is tied to the fate of hostilities.

According to the April 15 travel advice issued by the ministry, Cypriot citizens are advised to avoid non-essential travel to Sudan.

Those already there are advised to follow closely developments and information from the international and local media, avoid unnecessary movements and apply maximum security measures.

Cypriot citizens are also advised to register, if they wish to do so to the online registration platform for Cypriots abroad Connect2CY.

In case of emergency Cypriot citizens are requested to contact the Cyprus embassy in Cairo: Tel: +202 27377012, 3, 4 Sunday-Thursday (08:00-15:30) or +20 101 6670101 Non-Working hours.

Also the Honorary Consulate in Khartoum: Tel: + 249 183 794445, + 249 912 303603, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Affairs Department: Tel: +357 22 651113 (08:30-15:00, Monday–Friday) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Crisis Management Department: Tel: +357 22 801000, +357 22651295 (08:30-15:00, Monday–Friday) Mob: +357 97 775998 Non-Working hours.