KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith says no Jamaicans have been identified in the war stricken areas in Sudan.

According to the minister, Jamaica’s two honorary consuls in the region have been on high alert, ready to assist Jamaicans who may be negatively impacted by the crisis.

“The Jamaican Honorary Consul in Kenya, located in the region, has made exhaustive checks with the immigration personnel and her contacts in Sudan. Similarly, the Honorary Consul in Ethiopia, made thorough enquiries with authorities and his Sudanese contacts as well. Both have advised that all reports indicate that no Jamaicans have been caught in the crisis, nor have any been identified crossing borders,” Johnson Smith said.

Fighting in Sudan has continued for nearly two weeks since it began on April 15, when violence broke out between the country’s army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces. The two are engaged in a power struggle over who gets to run the resource-rich nation that sits at the crossroads between North Africa, the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.

Johnson Smith confirmed that the ministry, through the Jamaican High Commissions in Pretoria and the United Kingdom, have also been actively engaging other international partners that have diplomatic presence in Sudan, with a view to securing assistance in safeguarding any Jamaicans, who may be in or near the conflict zone.

The foreign ministry continues to monitor the situation, she said.

Persons who know of any Jamaican relative or friend currently in Sudan are being asked to contact the ministry at (+1)876-676-4028 or (+1)867-926-4220 or email consular@mfaft.gov.jm.