DFA advises Pinoys vs. travel to Sudan amid unrest

FILE: Department of Foreign Affairs building (Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — Filipinos are advised to avoid travel to Sudan as civil unrest in the African country continues to rage on, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs recommends Filipinos against travel to Sudan at this time due to the ongoing civil unrest that has resulted in violence, disruption in communications, cancellation of flights, and restriction of movements within Khartoum and around Sudan,” the agency, through Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Fernandez, said in a statement.

Data from the DFA as of December 2017 showed there are at least 3,000 Filipinos residing in Sudan.

The statement comes following an initial advisory issued on June 6 by the Philippine Embassy in Cairo which has jurisdiction in Sudan.

With protests ongoing, the Embassy earlier advised Filipinos who wish to leave and have means to do so. This, as it reminded that the mandatory evacuation phase by the Philippine government “is a measure of last resort.”

“There is no need to place travel plans on until mandatory evacuation comes into effect. Please take all necessary precautions for your safety,” it advised.

As of posting, there is no raising of alert level in Sudan.

According to reports, protest leaders continue its campaign to sustain the general strike launched on Sunday (local time) following weeks of pro-democracy protest which calls for civilian rule.