By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The Sierra Leone Embassy in Moscow, Russia has in a press release issued out on Friday 25th February stated its awareness of the current situation in Ukraine and said they are in contact with Sierra Leoneans in embattled East European nation.
The Sierra Leone Ambassador in Moscow, Mohamed Yongawo said that they are in regular communication with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Ukraine, Madam Liudmla Rusalina. ‘’In an earlier meeting held on 15-02-22, we agreed contingencies in support of Sierra Leoneans in the event of the situation escalating to all out armed conflict,’’ he said.
Ambassador Yongawo noted that Madam Rusalina advised that her home will be available to host Sierra Leoneans whilst awaiting for evacuation.
‘’Her residence, she informed is on the outcast of Kyiv which is safe and well-guarded with armed security,’’ he said. He added that the Sierra Leone community organization in Ukraine, which was set up by Rusalina has been able to register 97 Sierra Leoneans of which 40 are private students.
The Ambassador noted that at the time of going to press they had not received any information of harm to any of their citizens.
Yongawo appealed to countries neighboring Ukraine though the Mission in Moscow to offer temporary sanctuary if and when their citizens show up in their territories whilst the government considers other options including evacuation.
‘’Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Moscow Mission also held zoom meetings with Sierra Leonean community and students residing in Ukraine where information was shared with regards the ongoing conflict, risk and safety measures to be adopted by Sierra Leoneans,’’ he said.
Russian Forces together with their allies in the separatist region of Donbas in Eastern Ukraine early last week launched a full- scale military offensive on Ukraine. Russia President Vladimir Putin’s ordering of troops into Ukraine has sparked international condemnation and there have been demonstrations in cities around the world in support of the people of Ukraine. Western Powers have imposed tough economic sanctions on Putin himself, his close associates and the entire country, in opposition to the invasion. Putin says the government in Ukraine was becoming a threat to Russia.
The situation continues to worsen for especially civilians who are becoming trapped as Russian forces close in on towns and cities, though reports say they continue to face stiff resistance from the Ukranian army.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (28/02/22)
