Lavinia Mahlangu
4 February 2008
The Department of Foreign Affairs has approached French authorities to assist with the evacuation of several South Africans who have been stranded in Chad following a failed coup d'etat in the central African country over the weeked.
Chadian government soldiers earlier forced back rebels who tried to storm the presidential palace in the capital city of N'Djamena on Sunday, which regional news agencies pointed out was the second coup attempt against President Idriss Deby in as many years.
The South African government has since called on all parties to co-operate with the African Union-led mediation effort aimed at finding a lasting political solution in Chad.
The department confirmed on Monday that the diplomatic mission in Chad was in contact with most of the 15 South Africans known to be in the country, as well as their families back home.
The 15 nationals are reported to be employees of mining and cellular phone companies, based in the central African nation.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs is in contact with the French authorities who have agreed to assist with the evacuation of the 15 South Africans currently working in Chad," the department said in a statement.
"In this context our diplomatic mission in Chad is finalising arrangements for the successful evacuation of the South Africans."
The department urged South African families who have relatives in Chad, but had not been contacted to call Consular Services at (012) 351 000.
Source: BuaNews
