The South African government has decided to evacuate non-essential staff from its mission in Jordan ahead of the looming war in neighboring Iraq, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has directed the evacuation of the mission, which has been servicing South Africa’s diplomatic relations with Iraq as well due to the lack of a South African mission in Baghdad, based on the advise of ambassadors in the region, the DFA said in a statement. The other South African missions in the region, including Kuwait and Syria, had at this stage not advised the Minister of the need for evacuation.
“Given the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Gulf Region, as a consequence of threats of a possible war against Iraq, the South African government has put interim measures for its diplomatic staff and South Africans in and around the region,” the Department added.
In addition to the Jordanian evacuation, South African diplomatic missions in the region have requested all South Africans currently visiting or working in the region to register their presence with the nearest South African embassies, consulates and honorary consulates. This was being done to ensure their safety and security.
“Extra care should be exercised in planning visits to the region,” it added.
Going forward, the decision for possible evacuation of diplomatic staff in the region depended largely on the advice of the country’s ambassadors based in the region. Accordingly, the Department of Foreign Affairs Task Team on Iraq under the leadership of Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad would remain in constant liaison with South African missions in the region to assess and evaluate the situation and advise Minister Dlamini Zuma of measures that may be required as and when it is deemed necessary. – I-Net Bridge