African nations are launching an extensive evacuation of their nationals from Iran and other countries of the Middle East in the wake of the escalating security crisis in the region.
Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan and Uganda have been mulling moving their nationals from harm’s way as civilians are caught up in the latest conflict, which left several cities smouldering with the aftermath of air strikes and retaliatory missile and drone attacks.
Early morning air strikes in Iran on Saturday by US and Israel caused the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior members of the regime. Iran had launched retaliatory missile strikes on Israel, and US bases in the region including Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. These countries host a significant number of Ghanaians who live there as menial workers, students and businesspersons.
The crisis has disrupted several flights to the region.
With more overnight air strikes by US and Israeli fighter jets, what remains of the Iranian leadership have vowed to retaliate in crushing force, prompting African nations like Ghana to shut their embassy in Tehran and begin scrambling its workers and citizens from the region.
The foreign affairs ministry in Accra issued a statement on Saturday to that effect and said only essential personnel will be retained to continue providing consular services to Ghanaians in Iran.
“The Ministry advises Ghanaian nationals to avoid non-essential travel to and from the Middle East,” the statement said.
Nigeria’s foreign minisry says it has finalised plans for an emergency evacuation of its nationals stranded in Iran and Israel. Sudan has announced the immediate evacuation of its citizens while Uganda is airlifting 48 of its students through Turkey.
Kenya is also making similar arrangements to move its citizens from the troubled region.
Meanwhile South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is urging vigilance from its citizens in the region, encouraging them to register with diplomatic missions nearest to them.
This is with a view to accounting for their whereabouts.
WN/as/APA