The federal government is scrambling to help stranded Australians flee war-torn Sudan ahead of the end of a 72-hour ceasefire tonight.
More than 100 citizens are stranded in the African nation, and relatives have been urging the government to do more as there is no Australian embassy in the country.
While a number of flights out of the country with the help of other nations have been secured by the government, it cannot guarantee any further departures, prompting panic from the stranded citizens and their relatives.
Melbourne man Eltyab Eltyab documented his escape from Sudan.
“It was a very daunting process,” Eltyab told 9News.
“A big risk, you have to take that risk on your own.”
He was guided by his friend Razaz Elsayed who, from her home in Sydney, masterminded his route out without the help of the federal government.
Elsayed said she bombarded the Canadian and UK embassies with emails and calls until Eltyab was able to get out on a British flight.
“Why was I doing (Foreign Minister) Penny Wong’s job for the last three days?” Elsayed asked.
“Why is it we so quick to respond to Ukraine… why is taking so long to respond to countries like Sudan?”
Belmore mother of two Mona Gabir ended up holidaying in a war zone.
“When we managed to speak to her you could hear the battle. The shooting, the bullets and the fighting,” her husband, Bakri Gabir, said.
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Mona Gabir is planning a similar exit strategy on a British flight but first she has to make a dangerous dash to an airbase near the capital of Khartoum.
“We have been trying so hard since day one to help them get out of the country,” Bakri Gabir said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was doing its best to reach out to Australians in Sudan, while Foreign Minister Wong confirmed a few flights out of the country had been secured.
“Australians in Sudan can access several flights operated by partner countries today (27 April) from Wadi Sayyidna airfield north of Khartoum,” Wong wrote on Twitter.
“The 72-hour ceasefire ends tonight and further flights after that cannot be guaranteed.
“Australians wishing to depart should strongly consider leaving as soon as possible.
“If you cannot make it to Wadi Sayyidna, ferries are departing from Port Sudan to (Saudi Arabian city) Jeddah.
“The security situation remains dangerous. Consider the risks for any departure route carefully.”
She said the government was continuing to work with partners to secure evacuations and are in direct contact with registered Australians.
You can register with DFAT if you are in Sudan here or subscribe to Smartraveller here.
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