Ghana internationals David Sandan Abagna and Ibrahim Imoro are among 76 citizens the Ghanaian government are set to evacuate from Sudan due to the ongoing conflict.

The Al Hilal Omdurman duo are part of the 76 with 73 being students while one other footballer is involved.

Imoro joined the Sudanese club before the start of the 2022/23 season while Abagna made the transfer following the completion of the 2022 CHAN tournament, joining from Real Tamale United.

However, with the conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces resulting in numerous casualties and displaced thousands of people, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Dr. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, has confirmed that the Ghanaian citizens will be transported to Ethiopia for safety. 

“We have so far accounted for all the Ghanaian students. They are 73; none of them has been harmed, and we have all of them safe in a place. The next batch of Ghanaians is three footballers in Sudan. We have also accounted for them and have put all of them together. The plan is to evacuate them to the nearest country which is Ethiopia,” he said.

The violence has been centered in Khartoum, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict.

Dr. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong has reassured the government is committed to ensuring the safety of all Ghanaian nationals in Sudan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration had earlier announced its readiness to evacuate Ghanaian citizens affected by the conflict in Sudan. 

In order to organize the evacuation process and guarantee the safe transit of its citizens to Ethiopia, the Ghanaian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, which also holds concurrent accreditation with Sudan, is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and the Honorary Consulate.