The Students Union of Namibia (SUN) has called on President Hage Geingob to intervene immediately in the repatriation of Namibian students who managed to flee the war-zone Ukraine into accredited laissez-passer neighbouring countries for temporary shelter.

The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation in a media statement issued on Monday said most of the Namibian nationals are on their way out of Ukraine by either bus or train to respective countries assisting Namibia, such as Poland, Belarus, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania to ensure safe passage.

“MIRCO is in consultation with all stakeholders, including the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) as well as the ministries of Higher Education; Finance; Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, and Defence to ensure the safe repatriation of all Namibian nationals back home,” said the statement.

A media statement issued on Monday said while SUN understands the Namibian non-alignment policy on international relations of being a friend to all and an enemy to none, it should not stop the government from taking radical steps towards the safety of the students.

“Students’ lives cannot be politicised nor be taken for granted, the bureaucratic system in place is taking longer to offer amicable help,” the statement read.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency