Somalis trapped in South Sudan after the recent conflict

Many Somalilanders are reportedly trapped in South Sudan after the conflict that has erupted recently.

Business people and entrepreneurs had earlier established businesses such supermarkets, wholesale stores, trucking companies and other small businesses  in South Sudan to avail of the opportunities that had arisen after the independence of the country  from the rest of Sudan.

These Somalis both from Somaliland and  Somalia are now trapped in the conflict-affected parts of South Sudan.

Numerous  foreign countries have urged their  citizens to leave South Sudan after weeks of clan-based violence.  At least 4 US service personnel are reported to have been injured after an airplane that was evacuating US citizens off the country was fired upon by the rebels.

Reports coming from the country indicate that Chinese oil companies are pulling out of the country after armed militias have seized the oil wells.

Uganda has also sent troops to the capital, Juba, to evacuate its citizens from the conflict affected areas.

The situation is tense now and may develop into a full-scale clan war which could have an abysmal effect on the political reconciliation in the country .

Both the governments of Somalia and Somaliland have not declared any measures to rescue their citizens from conflict areas although the Somalia FM , Mrs Fawzia Adam , is among the IGAD delegation in South Sudan  to mediate the conflict in order to  bring  a peaceful solution between the warring parties.

Somaliland government should therefore, take immediate action to rescue its citizens that are currently trapped in South Sudan.

Source : Medeshi