Mission Aviation Fellowship is on standby to help with emergency evacuation flights out of southern Sudan, should this week's elections spark violent clashes.
The national presidential elections, which commenced on 11 April, are the first to be held across Sudan for 24 years.
Uncertainty remains on how fair the voting process will be, and whether violence will flare up. It has been reported that, because of this, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the main opposition party in the south, has boycotted the elections in much of northern Sudan.
So far the elections, which have been extended to allow more time for people to vote amidst some confusion and disorganisation, have been peaceful.
It is hoped that the peace will continue when the poll results are revealed.
MAF’s Kenya and Uganda operations, which both carry out large proportions of their flying into neighbouring Sudan, are on standby during the next few weeks should evacuations be necessary.
MAF have also taken some precautions to protect our staff families. Alan Sully, our Kenyan Country Director, writes, ‘We have removed all non-operational international staff from our sub-base in Juba, and they will remain out of Sudan until things are safe.’
With up to 10 aircraft in a position to fly across southern Sudan, and with widespread connections among the development and relief agencies and Christian missions working in the country, MAF is in a strong position to provide emergency evacuations should violent protests break out threatening the lives of workers there.
MAF has been serving vast southern Sudan for most years since 1950, enabling relief, medical care and Christian hope to reach impoverished and isolated communities. Today, the needs are still massive. In just 12 recent months, MAF flew more than 5,000 hours and 2.5 million miles into and within southern Sudan.
Recent flights have supported the Church in reaching remote communities to help them understand the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the importance of keeping peace between individuals as well as people groups. This effort by the Church has been recognised by the SPLM.