The Namibian government is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine and liaising with authorities in neighbouring countries to facilitate the safe passage of 114 Namibians stranded in Kiev, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO) executive director Penda Naanda said his government “has been closely following the challenging situation in which Namibian nationals find themselves after fleeing Ukraine.”
“Currently most of the Namibian nationals are on their way out of Ukraine by either bus or train. As they cross the Ukrainian border at different points, the Government of Namibia, through its diplomatic missions in Russia, Germany and Austria, has engaged the respective governments of Poland, Belarus, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania to ensure the safe passage of the 114 Namibians (including 93 students) from Ukraine to their respective territories,” Naanda said.
The statement by the Namibian government follows reports that African migrants have been illtreated by officials in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, including being shot at.
The official expressed appreciation to the governments of Russia, Germany and Austria “for having ensured the ‘laisser-passer’ to these Namibians and for providing them with shelter and food.”
The official urged any other Namibian nationals who may be stranded in Ukraine to inform the relevant authorities so that they could be assisted.
JN/APA