‘We were awakened by gunfire and artillery explosions’

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Sudan teeters on civil war. It is estimated that as many as 500 civilians have already been killed and food and medicine supplies have collapsed in the already needy country. In the middle are about 20 Swiss people who cannot be evacuated due to the precarious security situation. One of them is Swiss-Sudanese dual national Mohamed Osman Abou Shoak (72). Blick spoke to the man from Zurich.

Communication is difficult and in the capital Khartoum, where the Swiss is based, the mobile telephone network continues to fail. “I’m more or less fine at the moment,” says Abou Shoak on the phone. The former journalist came to Switzerland 30 years ago, after which he worked for a long time in the internal mail department of a large publishing house. And every few years he travels back to his old homeland to visit relatives.

Food prices have increased tenfold

Also in mid-April, just before the killing started. «At six o’clock in the morning the whole family was awakened by shots and explosions of artillery hits. It was threatening and terrible, especially for the children’, he now writes via Whatsapp because the normal telephone connection has failed.

In the weeks following the outbreak of the conflict, life in the African country became increasingly difficult. “Food is scarce and prices have increased almost tenfold. Clean drinking water is also a luxury in many circles.” Most hospitals are closed and you can hardly find medicines in pharmacies. “People with serious illnesses are particularly at risk,” says Abou Shoak. In addition, the banks are closed – and the Swiss-Sudanese dual nationality is slowly running out of money.

Abou Shoak currently sees no possibility of evacuation. Son Mohi is in contact with the foreign department. So far without success. “The evacuation flights depart from a military airport in the north. But that is very far from my location. And the path leads through disputed neighborhoods and bridges.” Another option would be to escape by sea, but ports are also inaccessible for the Swiss. “My only chance is a long enough truce.”

EDA has not yet responded

So all that remains is perseverance. “The days pass slowly and I have mixed feelings. Hope, but also fear and anger.” Sometimes he can’t sleep all night, writes Abou Shoak, at a time when the mobile phone is working again. “Sometimes because I miss my kids. Sometimes because of the bombs and the planes flying over the roof.”

Abou Shoak appeals to Switzerland: “Switzerland must work towards a ceasefire. Humanitarian aid, especially help with the delivery of medicines, would also be very important.” At the same time, the expectations of the Zurich resident from the international community are not too high. The conflict is also about control over the country’s natural resources. “Gold and oil are clouding the West’s view,” notes Abou Shoak.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes on request that Swiss citizens in Sudan are supported “as far as possible”.

Source: Blick